The ending 20th century started for Estonia with our young intellectuals yearning for freedom from the tsarist backward regime. Those young men, who later became the nation's statesmen and thinkers, dreamed of our nation's rebirth and of it becoming equal in status with other European nations. We had to remain Estonians, yet become Europeans. We see today, that our century is ending with the same thoughts and the same ideals with which it began. Today, Estonia is young again.
Every nation needs a vision of the future.
Every government's duty is to work toward the realization of that vision. The agreement concluded by Pro Patria, the Reform Party, the Moderates, and the National Party is our government's vision for Estonia of the new century. It does not matter to me whether the road we take is the first, second, or third. To me it matters whether it is right. It is important for Estonia to grow and for living conditions to improve constantly in Estonia.