- Reset +

President Ilves met with leaders of the United States Congress

25.06.2007

“I thank the United States Congress for the strong and well-timed support that you gave Estonia with your resolutions during the crisis at the end of April and beginning of May,” said President Toomas Hendrik Ilves at today’s meeting at the Capitol with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who, in the American political system, is the most important spokesperson for the Congress that wields significant power.

The Estonian Head of State and Speaker Pelosi together with the leader of Republican Party John Boehner discussed the topic of cyber crime and cyber attacks as an important dimension of security and stated that we can only be successful in dealing with this if we design a common trans-Atlantic strategy and international legal solutions.

“In the field of cyber-security, we must work out common terminology and start shaping the corresponding NATO political strategy, in which regard Estonia has made its proposals to NATO,” said President Ilves. “In this context, we must intensify the cooperation between Estonia and the United States of America.”

The Estonian Head of State also discussed the issue of visa waivers in detail with Speaker Pelosi and emphasized that Estonia expects a legislative resolution to this question in the near future.

“Estonian fulfills all the necessary security criteria and we are ready to act together with the United Sates and all other partners to increase the security of international travel,” said President Ilves.

At a meeting with the leading members of the United States Senate, the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan was discussed, and among other things, the Estonian Head of State expressed interest in the future activities of the Congress regarding the financing of US foreign missions.

“The welfare of these countries is important to the security of the Europe and the United States today and in the future,” said President Ilves.

At a luncheon with the House Committee on Foreign Relations, which plays an important role in directing US foreign policy, in addition to the aforementioned topics, Russia was also discussed at length.

“In relations with Russia, the unanimity of the messages coming from the European Union and the United States is important,” said the Estonian Head of State.

At the luncheon, the recent developments in Russia’s foreign policy and domestic situation were called worrying.

“It is not countries that have many enemies that become great and self-confident, but those that have many friends,” said President Ilves.

 

Office of the President
Public Relations Department
Phone +372 631 6229