Estonia launches own eEurope initiative
In preparation for accession to the European Union, Estonia has launched its own programme in line with the EU's eEurope initiative. On 7 March, Estonian companies and the government launched the Vaata Maailma project, which will support the use of the Internet and aims to improve the quality of life of Estonian citizens and the competitiveness of Estonia within Europe. Project participants hope that the Vaata Maailma will boost Internet penetration in Estonia to 74 per cent in three years, which would take Estonia past Finland in that category. Raul Parusk, Director General of Hansapank, one of the companies taking part in the project, said of Vaata Maailma: 'In order to achieve such a situation that as many as possible of the Estonian residents would want and could use the Internet, we will have to develop the information society or the e-state environment at large. The fastest and the most efficient method is co-operation between the public and the private sectors.' Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar praised the project and urged close cooperation between all sectors of society in order to ensure success. 'As Prime Minister I am greatly pleased with the launched information society promotion project Vaata Maailma initiated by the Estonian private sector. However, the initiative can be successful only if it is developed in efficient cooperation between the state, the private sector and non-profit organisations while focusing not so much on the technical side of the project, but on the Estonian people with their dreams and expectations.'