Deputy Chief of Mission, Estonian Embassy Mrs. Marki Tihhonova-Kreek
Estonians throughout Northern Ohio gathered at the Estonian Cultural Garden on June 26, to celebrate Victory Day, Jaanipäev, and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Estonian Cultural Garden.
Our program this year included a welcome and opening remarks from Toomas Tubalkain; a prayer by Trina Pirn; Keynote speach by Deputy Chief of Mission of the Estonian Embassy, Mrs Marki Tihhonova-Kreek; musical performance by Miss Kimberly Godfrey and the laying of a basket of flowers at the base of the monument in honor of those who have fought for Estonia’s freedom.
We had many distinguished guests at the event, including the Honorary Consul of Lithuania, Mrs Ingrida Bublys; Vice President of the Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation Mr. Paul Burik and most importantly, Mrs Lia Staaf, the sole surviving member of the original Estonian Cultural Gardens board. Mrs. Staaf was accompanied by her daughters Norma and Monika.
The text of Mrs. Tihhonova-Kreek’s speach follows:
Dear Estonians and friends of Estonia,
Ladies and gentelmen,
Let me start with saying how happy and honored I am to be here today and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Estonian cultural garden. It is always a very special feeling to meet the Estonian community and their friends. Thank you for the warm welcome and happy Jaanipäev and Võidupüha on behalf of Estonian Embassy in Washington!
25 years ago Estonia regained its independence. Looking back to these 25 years we must admit that it has been a successful period and we have a reason to be proud for ourselves – we have our own country where the official language is Estonian, our culture is strong and very well preserved, we, Estonians, make our own decisions in our country and there are even sectors or areas where Estonia is world famous for.
At the same time we have to think about the future. Even though we have done very well, we should not become passive and assume that everything that has been achieved during these 25 years, is irreversible. Just like in the past also in the future things could happen that could be challenging for our small country.
I do not refer to the likelihood or possibility that the events of 1940s will be repeated and Estonia will lose its independence. I mean that history is not final and no country in the world can forsee every possible event and prepare to every possible occasion. What a country can do is to invest into its image and into good international relations, including in the area of security policy.
Estonia made a very big step towards guaranteeing its security already in 2004 when joining EU and NATO. As to NATO, the supportive role of US within that alliance towards The Baltic Countries is crucial. US is our very close and good ally and we are very greatful for that.
As you know, in less than a month there will be the NATO Summit taking place in Warsaw, capital on Poland, where all NATO allies, on the level of heads of states will meet. Today Estonia is one of the few NATO allies who fulfills its obligations and spends at least 2% of its GDP on defense.
As to the upcoming Warsaw Summit, we firmly believe that NATO has to be able to defend its allies collectively taking into account all current threats. NATO has to adapt to the new normal – the era that started in 2014 after the escalation of Russian agression in Ukraine. So, as a result of Decisions taken in Warsaw Summit we expect to see a significantly increasing amount of NATO, including American boots on the ground and military equipment prepositioned to Europe, especially to our region.
The security situation in our region is unstable and will remain unstable for the unforseeable period of time. To adapt to the new normal we also expect a long-term strategic defense plan from NATO Warsaw Summit. And that strategic planning has to concentrate on the eastern flank as well the southern flank of NATO.
So, in short – from NATO we expect more presence, more prepositioned equipment and better planning to deter Russia’s agressiveness.
Dear audience,
As the 2015, also the 2016 is a difiicult year in terms of foreign politics to Estonia, to the whole Europe and to the whole world. Around two years ago Crimea was occupied and war started in Eastern Ukraine. One country decided to violate the security architecture based on the principles and rules of international law. It is our duty to raise our voice here and guarntee that the illegal annexation of Crimea will never be internationally recognized, just as the occupation of the Baltic Countries by the Soviet Union was never internationally recognized. The sanctions imposed on Russia parallely by Europe and US carry a message that international law applies to all the countries and there is a price to pay for violating it.
Another challenge – migration. Europe is facing the biggest migration crisis ever. And statistics show that only around 50% of people escaping from Syrian war, make it alive to the shores of Europe, another 50% sink, including a lot of innocent children, because the ships are often overcrowded. I have seen with my own eyes bodies of young kids being identified by the doctors on the shores of the Italian island Lampedusa, the place where most of the Syrian refugees enter Europe first. We firmly believe in Estonian government that Countries have to show solidarity here, when provided help to the refugees, and this solidarity cannot be an empty thought, it has to have a substance.
Dear fellow Estonians and friends of Estonia,
These discussions about the NATO Summit preperations, security policy, Russia’s agressive foreign policy, migration and many other topics have most probably alredy reached to you through different channels. We hope that as Estonians and friends of Estonia living in US you could help us in carrying our messages to the US decision makers. Just like during the years of occupation when your role in gaining back our independence was indespensable.
Ladies and gentelmen,
Let me be more positive now and introduce you the area, sector or nisch where Estonia is world famous.
Despite nearly fifty years of Soviet rule, Estonia has emerged as one of the few countries closest to truly becoming a digital society – from medical records to taxes to ID cards, Estonians rely on – and TRUST – information technology more than any other nation in the world.
Exactly how digital are we? Well, Estonians have access to hundreds of electronic services. The list of bureaucratic tasks Estonians can complete online is seemingly endless: such as completing tax returns – takes you about five minutes, setting up a new company and having it legal and running within 20 minutes, signing contracts, managing pensions, interacting with utilities companies, voting.Our Ministers can even approve government bills using only iPhones.
Parents can check their children’s school progress through e-services. We no longer have to carry driver’s licenses with us because the police can access that data online. Doctors only issue prescriptions electronically, while in the main cities you can pay by text for bus tickets, parking, and – in some cases – a pint of beer.
And when it comes to cybersecurity, our experts travel around the world, helping to build up the cybersecurity systems in different countries, conducting cyberexercises with our friends and allies. Skype, Transferwise, the highest number of tech based start-ups in Europe. Not bad for a country where, two decades ago, half of the population had no phone line.
And By the way, using digital signatures is estimated to save time equalling a total of two per cent of the annual GDP – this is equivalent to saving one week of working time per person. And these 2% of GDP we spend on defense.
Dear Audience.
This is our brand and image today, our story on how we are contributing to the world – being innovative and digitally advanced, providing our IT and cyber security solutions to many differenct countries, helping to build up their cyber security systems.
