Transport

"I don't think the sanctions against Russia should be lifted at once in the interest of economic success," chairman of the association of building material producers and CEO of Kunda Nordic Tsement Meelis Einstein told the paper. "Tiit Vahi built the port of Sillamae with a business plan that rested on the proximity of Europe and the Russian border. That plan obviously doesn't work in the present situation."

The head of the Association of Estonian International Road Carriers, Einar Vallbaum, said that the sanctions against Russia cannot be lifted before Russia has fixed its relations with Ukraine. "I regard the 2% of gross domestic product invested in Estonia's national defense as a very good investment and I'm convinced that the NATO troops stationed in Estonia increase our security and benefit the business climate," he added.

The claim that repeal of sanctions will result in flourishing appears hypothetical and it's not likely the economy will start to grow by leaps and bounds after the sanctions are lifted, director general of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mait Palts said. "Given Russia's earlier behavior, it's not an entirely risk-free partner," he added.

Member of the supervisory board of the Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce Jaanus Murakas voiced the opinion that relations with Russia cannot be built on economic benefit alone as whole Europe has bad experiences from dealings with that country.

Vahi, majority shareholder in Sillamae Sadam that operates the north coast port of Sillamae, said in an interview Postimees carried on Monday that Estonia should support repeal of the economic sanctions imposed on Russia after it annexed the Crimean peninsula.

According to Vahi, establishment of NATO bases and the conducting of massive trainings hurt the Estonian economy because a victorious war against Russia is not possible.