HC/1/96

The Hague

11 December 1995

Reference: 1340/95/L

Mr Siim Kallas

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia

Rävala 9

Tallinn EE 0100

Estonia

Dear Mr Minister,

During various talks I had in Tallinn on November 30 and December 1, I got several indications that your Government is actively seeking to find solutions for a number of problems with which a large group of residents of your country are confronted as a consequence of the fact that they do not posess the citizenship of Estonia. I welcome this approach, because it is my firm conviction that the solution of these questions would considerably contribute to harmonious inter ethnic relations in your country.

On a number of these problems I should like to make a number of recommendations. They relate in the first place to the new law on citizenship which came into force on April 1 of this year. According to this law, applicants for citizenship will, apart from undergoing a language test, also have to pass an examination on the Constitution of Estonia. Other States have formulated similar requirements for those applying for citizenship. Moreover it can be argued thqat it is, in priciple, desirable that persons who want to enjoy the benefits of citizenship also show their willingness to integrate by acquiring a certain knowledge of the official language of the State and of the principles of the State structure.

However, much depends on the implementation of such a principle. In this connection I analysed the declatations concerning the implementation of the new Estonian law an citizenship. I have noted that , even though there are a number of easy questions amongst those which can be asked during these examiniations, there is also a considerable number which even persons with a university education might find difficult to answer. Moreover, applicants have to use the Estonian language in answering the questions. I therefore make a plea for making the examination concerning the Constitution considerably easier.

As far as the Estonian language test is concerned, I have noted that knowledge of 2500 words is required. Here, too, I express the hope that the test will be made easier. In this respect I may mention that according to many linguists the knowledge of 800 words of a language is sufficient to conduct a simple conversation.

Finally, I should like to comment on the problems facing those non-citizens of Estonia who want to travel to other States. The temporary travel documents currently used have the disadvantage that they are only valid for one journey. A better solution could in my view be achieved if alien passports could not only be issues in rare cases, as is the practice in Estonia at present, but could be provided to all those who are currently not citizens of a foreign State. There are no reasons to assume that other States with which Estonia has not yet an agreement regarding alien passports, would refuse to conclude such agreements provided that Estonia guarantees that those travelling with these passports have the right to return to Estonia. The introduction on a larger scale of alien passports can also help to avoid a situation in which an increasing number of non-citizens of Estonia are applying for Russian citizenship in order to solve their travel problems, not withstanding the fact that they intend to continue to live in Estonia.

These were the comments, Mr Minister, I want to submit to you. I felt encouraged to make them because your Government is itself seeking ways to promote the integration of non-citizens in Estonian society. I am looking forward with great interest to your reply.

Yours sincerely

Max van der Stoel