Other events in Baltic States

Estonia has received a request from Palestine to share its experiences in building the e-State, writes Postimees Online/LETA.

The preparations are currently already being made for helping Palestine in developing its e-State and e-Government services.

Estonian minister of foreign affairs Urmas Paet and minister of foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority Riyad al-Maliki discussed at the meeting held in Marseille the situation in Palestine and the peace process as well.

Paet stated that the peace process that was launched in Annapolis will have to continue, despite extraordinary elections that will take place in Israel in February next year. “The peace process will certainly have to be carried forward and it will have to end with creating the State of Palestine,” noted the Estonian minister, adding that the promises made at the Annapolis meeting will have to be adhered to and steps that could threaten the process of negotiations should be avoided.

Paet also noted that the EU police mission on the Palestinian territories (EUPOL COPPS) where Estonia also participates should also be continued.

The Estonian minister noted that Estonia will contributed to enhancing Palestinian security capacity and the public sector capacity. “We consider achieving peace in the Middle East very important, from the point of view of regional security as well as of global security,” he remarked.

At the end of last year, Estonia decided to support the re-launched Palestinian-Israeli peace process during the years 2008-2010 with more than 12 million kroons – i.e. with a million U.S. dollars. Paet stated that thus far this is the biggest contribution by Estonia for solving global conflicts. “We hope that this will contribute to the construction of the State of Palestine, including to creating efficient security forces and will help prevent further armed attacks against residents,” he concluded.