Foreign Affairs Committee Suggests Presidential Asia Trip
The Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs said yesterday that President Toomas Hendrik Ilves should look towards Asia when planning official state visits as he has not visited the continent in more than six years.
Attending a meeting of the committee on Thursday, the President's adviser on foreign policy, Margus Laidre, gave an overview of Ilves's international relations activities and outlined his 2013 state visit schedule.
“The fact that the President has not visited Asia since 2006 is remarkable. Our recommendation was that official visits to tertiary states be conducted this year or next year,” the committee's chairman Marko Mihkelson told uudised.err.ee.
“Presently, [the President's] official trips have centered primarily on the EU and North America,” the MP added.
Mihkelson stressed that the President plays an important role in promoting bilateral economic relations, even more so if he is traveling with a business delegation. “The standing of a president can certainly open many important doors in many nations,” he said.
Laidre said that the committee's suggestions will be discussed with the President and his staff.
“We will organize official visits to every place that can benefit the longevity of the Estonian state and the nation's economy. We also consider the values that Estonia holds high,” said Laidre, adding that the President's Office will also consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before altering any plans.
“Estonia would first have to map its interests, taking into account Western values,” Laidre said.