TALLINN - U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Elizabeth Jones visited Estonia on Nov. 9 to discuss the Middle East, the elections in Ukraine and OSCE matters.
Jones met with Estonian counterpart Kristiina Ojuland, who said the EU and the U.S.A. should focus on the further development of transatlantic relations and leave discords aside.
The U.S. representative thanked Estonia for its contribution to the peacekeeping operation in Iraq, and expressed hopes that the Estonian government would decide to carry on with the mission.
Jones and Ojuland said they hoped the general elections in Iraq would be carried out in January 2005, in accordance with previously approved plans.
The two officials also discussed the presidential election in Ukraine. Ojuland said that the Ukrainian elections' compliance with democratic standards would show the EU and the United States how to further interact with Ukraine.
"It [the elections] could provide an opportunity for closer cooperation and integration with the West on the political and economical level," Ojuland was quoted by the ministry's press service as saying.
Shortly before meeting Population Affairs Minister Paul-Eerik Rummo, Jones commented on the development of national minority integration, saying that she "did not have any direct recommendations" on the subject.
Jones also highlighted Estonia's efficient contribution to the development of a democratic society in Georgia.
