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The President of Estonia met with the Spanish King

05.05.2009

“Relations between Estonia and Spain are very good. We are strong partners in the EU as well as NATO, where our cooperation is helped by a similarity of views regarding most issues,” President Ilves said. The Spanish royal couple visited Tallinn’s Old Town, ERR video

Yesterday in Kadriorg, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Evelin Ilves received King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, who arrived in Estonia on a state visit.

“This is a significant visit, because this is the first time Spanish royals are visiting Estonia,” President Ilves stressed. The President made a state visit to Spain in July 2007. “Relations between our two countries are very good. Estonia and Spain are strong partners in the European Union as well as NATO, where our cooperation is helped by a similarity of views regarding most issues.”

“I am especially proud to host King Juan Carlos, who has provided immeasurable support for the development of democracy in his home country,” the Estonian Head of State said. “We are both countries that have successfully emerged from authoritarian and totalitarian regimes and have arrived in the European Union, an alliance that is based on common values.”

President Ilves thanked King Juan Carlos for Spain’s participation in the Baltic Air Policing Mission and support for the activities of the NATO Cyber Defence Centre that has been established in Tallinn.

“I am gratified that Spain understands the importance of cyber security as a 21st-century and cross-border issue and that it has joined Estonia and our other allies in the organisation of cyber defence,” President Ilves said.

The Estonian Head of State and the Spanish King also spoke about the global economic crisis.

“One of the most pressing and painful problems, which requires our serious attention and fast solutions, is how to contain increasing unemployment,” President Ilves said. “It is also important that possible cuts and tax increases, which governments make to stabilise the economic situation and initiate a new recovery, are understandable to the people and thoroughly explained.”

The other topics under discussion at the meeting were economic and transport cooperation and close cultural ties between Estonia and Spain, as well as the development of tourism and student exchanges.

The Spanish Head of State also met with Ene Ergma, Speaker of the Riigikogu, as well as the parliamentary leadership and chairmen of the political factions. He also met with representatives of the Spanish community in Estonia.

Yesterday evening, President Ilves and Evelin Ilves hosted an official dinner in honour of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain.

Today the Spanish Head of State will visit the NATO Cyber Defence Centre in Tallinn and meet with Prime Minister Andrus Ansip. Meanwhile, Queen Sofia will visit St. Nicholas’s Church and the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre whereafter the Spanish royal couple will visit Tallinn’s Old Town.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia will leave Tallinn today afternoon.


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