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Uudam, Laur
2 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Latvian salary levels for Estonia?
The daily SL Õhtuleht points to the drastic austerity measures the government in Latvia has resorted to in order to avert national bankruptcy. "Although Estonia is only just over half as big as Latvia its government earns almost twice as much. Given the competitive prices [in Latvia] our public sector should immediately start recruiting staff from Latvia, especially seeing as there is no guarantee that our own ruling class is not facing the same fate as its Latvian colleagues. … In Estonia there is not yet the will to cut salaries, but if it is not done now it won't ever happen. Naturally the [Estonian] government [led by Prime Minister Andrus] Ansip is afraid to tackle the salaries of teachers and policemen. But in Latvia teachers' salaries were cut by an incredible 40 percent to 243 euros a month."
» full article (external link, Estonian)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Fiscal Policy, » Latvia, » Estonia
Estonia's new course in foreign policy
Laur Uudam comments on the fact that the newly-elected Estonian president, Hendrik Toomas Ilves, is making his first state visit to Latvia although Finland has traditionally been the first destination for state visits by Estonian presidents. Uudam speculates that Mr. Ilves is breaking with this tradition in an effort to improve relations with the other Baltic States, as Estonia has regularly distanced itself from its southern neighbours in the past. "There is an element of pride swallowing to today's visit to Latvia, but Ilves will have no trouble finding common ground with Latvia's president Vaira Vike-Freiberga. When still a presidential candidate, Ilves made it clear that he saw himself taking on the role of spokesman for all three Baltic States and even the entire region as soon as the Latvian president left office."
» full article (external link, Estonian)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » Estonia, » Baltic States
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