July 23, 2004

Press Release

Senior United States Government Business Advocate Visits Estonia

The United States government's Special Representative for Business Affairs, Mr. Frank Mermoud, visited Estonia July 21-23 to discuss bilateral U.S.- Estonian commercial ties with a variety of senior Estonian government and business representatives.

Mr. Mermoud leads the U.S. Department of State's Office of Commercial and Business Affairs, or CBA, which plays a major role in coordinating trade and investment matters in order to support U.S. firms overseas. Mr. Mermoud coordinates the State Department's advocacy of American businesses and offers problem-solving assistance in opening markets, ensuring a level playing field for U.S. companies, and resolving trade and investment disputes.

While in Estonia, Mr. Mermoud met with representatives of the Estonian Economics and Communications Ministry, the American Chamber of Commerce in Estonia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture's Copyright Department, and Enterprise Estonia.

Mr. Mermoud stated during his visit to Estonia: “I'm here to congratulate Estonia on its entry to the EU and membership in NATO. The U.S. and the Bush Administration are very appreciative of the bilateral political, economic and commercial relationship that exists between our two countries and we look forward to strengthening our ties during the years to come. We are also here to say: 'Don't lose your voice! You do have a voice both in EU and NATO.'”