In town for NATO, Estonian prime minister visits Riverwoods

The prime minister of Estonia encouraged expatriates to continue lobbying for the small European country and spoke of his support for the nation's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization during a visit Saturday to the Estonian House in Riverwoods.

Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, who is in Chicago for the NATO summit this week, told the audience of about 75 people at the cultural center that without the support of Estonian residents in the United States and the U.S. government, particularly President Ronald Reagan, Estonia would not have overcome the occupation by the Soviet Union that lasted more than five decades.

Gilda Karu, Midwest director of the Estonian-American National Council, said there are about 2,000 Estonians l iving in the Chicago area. Karu translated Ansip's address into English for the Daily Herald.

"It is valuable to have people in other countries who can identify with the Estonian language, culture and history," Ansip said. "It is not just money. It is important to have people who support Estonia and lobby on behalf of Estonia."

Ansip touted the country's financial strength compared to other, larger countries in the European Union. He said Estonia has experienced the fastest economic growth of countries in the European Union at 7.6 percent. Last year, the country of 1.3 million people had a budget surplus of about 1 percent.

"In Europe, there are big economic problems," Ansip said. "But in Estonia, things are going well."

As for Estonia's acceptance into NATO, Ansip said it provides the small country a level of protection.

"Alone, we are small country that cannot stand up to the bigger countries," Ansip said. "But through NATO, we feel we are protected."

Karu added that Estonia has a large presence in Afghanistan, where it is helping to rebuild the country.