Hans-Gert Poettering, Chairman of the Group of the European People's Party and European Democrats in the European Parliament, address of welcome to the Pro Patria Union Party Congress in Tallinn, 14 April 2001.

WELCOME TO THE EUROPEAN FAMILY


In the name of the largest political group in the European Parliament, the EPP-ED Group, I have great pleasure and honour to greet the Pro Patria Union at its Party Congress today in Tallinn.

Our Goup is highly aware of the historically important work that the Pro Patria Union has consistently been doing in the fight for the new independency of Estonia a decade ago.

We are convinced that the last decade in Estonia has been a very successful one. The country has been purposefully led by the Pro Patria Union towards an open democracy system and a functional and efficient market economy.

Now the Pro Patria Union, led by Chairman and Prime Minister Mart Laar, leads Estonia vigorously towards membership of the European Union, which will finally seal Estonia's participation as an equal European states.

Dear Estonians,

You might like to know that in these matters the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament supports you with the strength of its all 232 Members. We struggle for a common objective; for Estonia's EU membership.

I hope that already at the Euro elections of the summer 2004 we will be able to have our election campaign together for our common values: democracy, a market based economy, welfare of citizens and all human rights.

All the Best for your Party Congress! Welcome to our European family!


Hans-Gert Poettering
Chairman
EPP-ED Group