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President Ilves met with important politicians from the Middle East

16.05.2009

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who is participating at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East, met today with several key politicians from the region. President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who is participating at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East, met today with several key politicians from the region.

At his meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II, the Estonian Head of State expressed great recognition for Jordan's active role in the Middle East's political developments, and especially for its actions towards finding a solution to the Middle East conflict.

President Ilves and King Abdullah II also spoke about the increasingly close relations between Estonia and Jordan.

"The creation of direct ties with Jordanian promoters of enterprise is important for Estonia, President Ilves said. "I am gratified that Jordan is interested in Estonia's experience related to oil shale energy production."

King Abdullah II expressed great interest in Estonia's e-government experience, which could assist Jordan in its comparable efforts that have lasted for eight years.

President Ilves and King Abdullah II expressed gratification that the negotiations for concluding the Protection of Investment Treaty between Estonia and Jordan are drawing to a close, and hopefully preparations will soon be made to initial and sign the treaty.

President Ilves repeated his invitation to the Jordanian King to visit Estonia and King Abdullah II confirmed that he is interested in organizing a visit to Estonia with a distinguished business delegation.

The Estonian Head of State also met with the Iraqi Vice-President, Adil Abd Al-Mahdi.

"I hope that the generally improved security situation in Iraq will enable the country to focus on civilian development," President Ilves said, recalling that the Estonian Defence Forces are currently participating in a NATO Iraqi training mission and ten Iraqi diplomats are attending a three-week training course in Tallinn organized by the Estonian School of Diplomacy and the Foreign Ministry.

Information technology solutions that could facilitate the work of state officials and increase their productivity were discussed at length at the meeting between President Ilves and Vice-President Al-Mahdi.

"We are also ready to familiarize Iraq with the e-solutions developed by Estonia - e-government, X-Road, and the ID card project," President Ilves said, adding that Estonia is preparing to cooperate with the Palestinian Authority, which wishes to apply our experience in database use.

The Estonian Head of State expressed his support for international cooperation within the framework of the long-term Iraqi Compact development programme, and considered the partnership and cooperation agreement between the European Union and Iraq to be very important.

At his meeting with Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the Foreign Trade Minister of the United Arab Emirates, President Ilves confirmed that, in addition to increased economic, cultural and tourism contacts between the two countries, Tallinn is also interested in intensifying political relations and creating the contractual base necessary to achieve this.

The Estonian Head of State introduced the cooperation with the Palestinian Authority and Iraq authorities related information technology. The United Arab Emirates Foreign Trade Minister emphasized his readiness to assist in implementing Estonian IT solutions in Arab-speaking environments.


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