Estonia
After centuries of Swedish and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe.
The country was welcomed as an EU member in May 2004, just weeks after it joined Nato. Estonia has enjoyed strong economic growth since joining the EU. The prime minister has said that he will continue steering Estonia towards Euro membership in 2007. One of the keys to success will be reducing inflation.
The country’s electoral college chose former communist Arnold Ruutel as Estonia’s second post-Soviet president in September 2001. Andrus Ansip became prime minister in April 2005. He is leader of the center-right Reform Party and was economy minister in the previous coalition government of Juhan Parts. Ansip's government is Estonia's eighth administration in 12 years.
A large number of the Russian-speaking industrial workers brought in decades ago have ended up without Estonian citizenship for which they are required to pass an Estonian-language test. Just under 12% of the population has no citizenship of any kind.
After a decade of negotiations, Estonia and Russia signed a treaty defining the border between the two countries in May 2005. The Estonian parliament ratified it soon afterwards but only after it had introduced reference to Soviet occupation. Moscow reacted by pulling out of the treaty and saying talks would have to start afresh.
There are currently no known threats to expatriate visitors or residents in Estonia.
Civil unrest is not a problem in Estonia, and there have been no incidents of terrorism directed toward US interests. Large public gatherings and demonstrations occur on occasion, in relation to mainly domestic political issues. In March 2003, several hundred demonstrators gathered in front of the U.S. Embassy to protest against the US military action in Iraq. A small group of hooligans then damaged an Embassy vehicle and vandalized the Embassy building. There have been no similar events since that time.
