Eesti in brief - 2007-03-07

  • 2007-03-07
Estonia continues to register one of the highest HIV infection rates in Europe. The Estonian Health Protection Inspectorate said 109 new cases of HIV infection have been registered already this year. Tragically, among them are two girls aged under four years old. The majority of cases, 38, were registered in Narva, while 35 came from Tallinn and 23 from East Viru county. Most people who were found to have the virus were aged between 20 and 24. In total, Estonia is now home to 5,840 HIV carriers and 139 AIDS patients.

Statistics show Estonia's shopping spree continues unabated. Retail trade grew by 22 percent between Jan. 2006 and Jan. 2007, compared to 20 percent during the previous year. Statistics Estonia said the greatest increase was seen in food items, household goods and appliances, and hardware and building materials, indicating that home outfitting and renovation have largely influenced the trend. Motorists spent 4.1 billion kroons on vehicles, 1 billion more than during the previous year.

Three people escaped unhurt after a small aircraft crash-landed on Ruhnu island on March 3. The aircraft, a relatively new Britten-Norman B-2, crashed into a pine forest close to the runway on the small Estonian island. Both wings and the tail of the aircraft were broken, but the pilot and his two passengers were unhurt. Poor weather is believed to have contributed to the crash.

Estonia is to open new embassies in Israel and Egypt. Diplomats will soon be sent to the two nations in preparation for the opening of the embassies. The new diplomatic missions are designed to help increase Estonia's presence in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said on March 2. In Tel Aviv, Estonians will work within the Dutch embassy, while in Cairo a cooperation agreement has been reached with the Swedish Embassy. Estonia has recently increased its diplomatic presence across the globe. Last year embassies were opened in Bulgaria and Georgia, and an ambassador will shortly be appointed to Afghanistan.