At a press conference following plenary talks with the Estonian delegation, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, stressed that the working meeting of the Estonian Prime Minister, Andrus Ansip, had been held at an important time, particularly for new member states. "In a few weeks' time, the European family – after the enlargement – will truly be a family without internal borders," said the Slovenian PM, adding that once the Schengen borders are removed, the sense of integration in the EU would strengthen.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
According to PM Janez Janša, Slovenia and Estonia share similar views on the future of the EU in terms of the enlargement of the European family, the ratification of the Constitutional Treaty, and European Neighbourhood Policy. The Slovenian PM presented to his Estonian counterpart the priorities of Slovenia's EU Presidency in the first half of 2008, while the latter assured him full support in the realisation of the set objectives. Slovenia and Estonia, says Mr Janša, also share similar views on outstanding issues within the EU, and issues the EU is resolving with third countries. "In this respect, we are great allies within the European family," said the Slovenian PM.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
PM Janez Janša stressed that Estonia was a model of good practice in terms of eliminating red tape, reforming the tax system and, particularly, increasing investment in R&D, expressing satisfaction over the fact that the already good relations between the two countries are strengthening even further. This is corroborated by an over 35% increase in trade in goods in 2006.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
The Estonian PM said that Estonia aspired to adopt the euro as soon as possible, stressing that for the last three years the country has had a budget surplus which amounted to 3.6% GDP in the last year. "We ranked third in the EU, preceded only by Denmark and Finland," said Mr Ansip proudly, adding that Estonia's government debt was the lowest in the EU. The only challenge on the way to meeting the Maastricht criteria, in his words, is inflation. "Despite the enviable surplus, inflation in Estonia is relatively high," he said, adding that the Government was unable to control oil and food prices in the global market. Mr Ansip believes that inflation is not high only in Estonia, but also in Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and Finland. "This is a hot topic everywhere, so it is no surprise that after the euro changeover Slovenia, too, has a similar problem with inflation," he said, mentioning Ireland, where inflation after the euro changeover surged to nearly 5%. According to the Estonian PM, inflation in countries experiencing mounting pressure as a result of real convergence, which is split between currency revaluation and inflation, is lower than in countries where the national currency is pegged against the euro.
