Two-state solutions

TALLINN - A cooperation conference between Estonia and Latvia took place on Dec. 16 in Tartu, with the Estonian and Latvian prime ministers present, reports LETA. Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said that the success of both states depends a lot on relations with each other. He said that the cooperation with Estonia’s southern neighbors has been very fruitful, but we cannot stop at what has been achieved.

Quoting a poem by Hando Runnel, Ansip stressed that for real success, it is not enough to just implement the interests and aim of one’s own state, but cooperation between Estonia and Latvia is of critical importance. “For Estonians the expression ‘We cannot do without Latvia’ has become a proverb, although it was worded by Estonian modern poet Hando Runnel. The widespread [acknowledgement] of that expression shows how natural people [consider] the connectedness of our two states,” said Ansip.

The prime minister added that now new projects have to be carried out together, like Rail Baltica, and the region’s energy policy, aims that can only be implemented together in order to exit energy isolation. Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis noted that the cooperation of the two states in international organizations is also important. He said that Estonia and Latvia share common interests on international issues, such as overcoming the euro debt crisis. The cooperation conference was dedicated to education and, thus the education ministers of both states, Jaak Aaviksoo and Roberts Kilis, were present.