Photo:
RIA Novosti
The Minister of foreign Affairs of Estonia Sven Mixer stated on Thursday that he does not consider it reasonable to demand from Russia compensation for the damage allegedly caused during the so-called “Soviet occupation”.
Justice Ministers of the Baltic States in the autumn of last year signed in Riga the Memorandum of cooperation, which involves the coordination of the submission of claims to Russia about compensation of the damage allegedly suffered by Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia during the years of the so-called “Soviet occupation”. The then Prime Minister of Estonia Taavi Rõivas called signed by the Minister of justice Urmas Reinsalu the Memorandum of his personal decision and stated that the head of the Ministry of justice’s foreign policy creates unnecessary noise. Did not support the nomination of the claim of the Russian Federation and ex-Minister of foreign Affairs of Estonia Marina Kaljurand.
Last week Reinsalu convened a Commission to develop a methodology to determine the extent of damage. The first results of work of the Commission, expected by the end of April 2017.
According to Mikser, Estonia’s foreign policy must be consistent and, therefore, he shares the position of Rivas and Kaljurand. “The Estonian government has no intention to submit claims about compensation of the damage from the “occupation” of Russia. Most likely, this will continue the continuity that is an initiative of the Minister of justice. So I believe that the government’s position in General is the same as a year ago,” said the Mixer in the broadcast of the Estonian public broadcasting ERR, commenting on the decision to convene the Commission.
The Minister added that such initiatives do not find understanding among partners of Estonia. “Small state that believes itself secure and stable, it is unreasonable to make such demands. To lay claim, claims that have no prospects and who do not find understanding at our most important business partners, I don’t think it is reasonable,” — said Mixer.
The Russian leadership has repeatedly stated that the occupation of the Baltic States in 1940 by the Soviet Union cannot be considered. Earlier, the Russian foreign Ministry explained that it is considering the accession of the Baltic States as complying with international law of the time. According to authorities, the term “occupation” here can not be used, as between the USSR and the Baltic States was not conducted military operations, and the invasion was carried out on a contractual basis and with the Express consent existed in these republics authorities. In addition, in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia during their stay in the Soviet Union (excluding the time of occupation by Germany during the great Patriotic war) acted with the national authorities.