Credentials Statement of Ambassador Jüri Luik

Mr. President,

I am deeply honored to be here today to present Your Excellency the credentials by which the President of the Republic of Estonia has accredited me as the Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the United States of America.

Our countries share a very special relationship, which goes back for more than eighty years and which is based on mutual respect and trust. This relationship was manifested during the Cold War by the United States policy of non-recognition of Estonia's forceful incorporation to the Soviet Union. Your country was instrumental in the modern day miracle of helping the Estonian people to restore their statehood after 50 years of captivity.

Our special bond is further strengthened in the Baltic Charter signed by the Presidents of the United States, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which was a significant milestone in my country's path to full integration into European and transatlantic structures. The Charter also spelled out that the interest of the United States in the security and independence of the Baltic States is real, profound and enduring.

Mr. President, your visionary address at Warsaw University in June 2001, spoke of Europe "whole and free". The support of the United States and your personal leadership among the NATO leaders has resulted in the biggest enlargement of NATO in its history. This enlargement of the community of freedom is crucial not only for Estonia, not only for Europe, but also for global security. The consentient ratification of NATO enlargement protocols by the US Senate on May 8th confirmed Estonia's place in the community of free nations adding a country to the Alliance with strong trans-Atlantic credentials.

Mr. President, old and new threats to the security of the world can be dealt only in co- operation with other democratic and like-minded nations. For 50 long years Estonia suffered the consequences of non-action of democracies in 1938-40, which led to far greater human sacrifice and suffering than standing tall against the threats of totalitarianism of those days. It is a sad lesson we will never forget and it guides us in our foreign policy endeavors.

Estonia's commitment to promote security not only in Northern and North-Eastern Europe, but globally, has been confirmed by Estonian decisions to participate in the US and NATO-led missions. We currently patrol shoulder to shoulder with the US troops in Baghdad and our bomb demolition teams support coalition forces in Afghanistan. Our troops are also carrying out their duties in NATO-led missions in Bosnia and Kosovo.

May I assure you Mr. President, that I will give all my ability to further strengthen the ties between our two nations.

The President's Reply to the Remarks
of the Newly Appointed Ambassador
of the Republic of Estonia Jüri Luik
Upon the Occasion of the Presentation
of His Letter of Credence

Mr. Ambassador:

I am pleased to accept your Letter of Credence from President Rüütel, which establishes you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Estonia to the United States of America, and I acknowledge the Letter of Recall of your distinguished predecessor. Thank you for your greetings on behalf of the government and the people of Estonia. I warmly welcome you and your family to Washington.

Thanks in large part to your own efforts, Mr. Ambassador, Estonia is entering a new era. Your nation is a welcome addition to history's most successful alliance, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Estonia's membership in NATO will contribute to our shared security and strengthen the ties that bind the United States and Europe. We look forward to working with you to achieve the creation of a Europe whole, free, and at peace.

Thanks to the sound economic policies pursued by successive governments since the restoration of Estonian independence in 1991, your country has enjoyed economic growth that is the envy of many nations. Privatization and banking reform have been achieved, the middle class is growing. The government has set a high standard for transparency and respect for the rule of law, earning Estonia an international reputation as a safe place to do business. Estonia has set a good example for other nations, in Europe and elsewhere, that are still shaking off the legacies of the last century's socialist economic thought.

Estonia has recognized that global terrorism is a threat to all free nations. Estonian troops are serving alongside American forces in Iraq and in Afghanistan, helping restore peace to nations destroyed by tyrants. This fight will be difficult to win; but when democracies stand together, we will prevail.

Fifteen years ago, Estonia's "singing revolution" set an example to the world of the power of free will and the human spirit. Through the national song festivals, the Estonian people showed their resolve in the face of tyranny. Estonia's strength can help bring about similar peaceful revolutions throughout the world. We will be partners in that effort, Mr. Ambassador, during what I hope will be your long and successful stay in Washington.