As can be seen in the joint statement released after the meeting, the focus of the meeting was specifically on bilateral relations between the countries, and on their aim to strengthen commitment to civil society and promote education.

The partnership between Germany and Estonia is longstanding and profitable, but the ministers recognize that a remains to be done: with this in mind they agreed on some spheres of cooperation and encouraged their relevant authorities and public media outlets to cooperate.

The proliferation of mass communication technology is a key factor for intercultural exchange in our increasingly globalized and interdependent world.  The media and communication aspects of enhanced German-Estonian cooperation are thus aimed at boosting the professional skills of media outlets and individual journalists to work across language barriers. As a result, the two countries are now seeking to create Master’s scholarships for journalism students, as well as internship programs, in association with TV/web organisation Deutsche Welle, which broadcasts in both German and Russian for Estonian Public Broadcasting services.

The two ministers also agreed collaboration on a program to create opportunities for enhanced personal relations between the two countries. The plan is to assist the Goethe Institute in continuing its work on German language teaching in Estonia, on facilitating cooperation between German and Estonian NGOs on civic education, and on the promotion of youth exchange programs between Germany and Estonia.

• See more at: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2015/150417-Gemeinsame_Erklaerung_Estland.html

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