Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 06TALLINN974, ESTONIA PREPARES FOR SCHENGEN IMPLEMENTATION

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06TALLINN974.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06TALLINN974 2006-10-26 15:03 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Tallinn
VZCZCXYZ0015
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTL #0974/01 2991503
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261503Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY TALLINN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9182
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS TALLINN 000974 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NB KAYE LEE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CVIS KFRD EUN EN
SUBJECT: ESTONIA PREPARES FOR SCHENGEN IMPLEMENTATION 
 
 
1. Summary: GOE officials expect implementation of the 
Schengen Agreement to be delayed until early 2009, because 
of a delay in the European Commission's introduction of the 
second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II).  In 
preparation for accession, the GOE is focused on bringing 
border control and police cooperation into compliance with 
Schengen standards.  Timing depends in part on the GOE's 
ability to finish construction of a new terminal in Tallinn 
Airport by the end of 2008.  The GOE has directed more than 
half of the assistance it has received from the EU Schengen 
Facility toward upgrading border guard capabilities.  End 
Summary. 
 
Estonia's Preparation and Evaluation 
------------------------------------ 
 
2. In May 2006, EU officials began conducting assessments 
of Estonia's preparedness to meet Schengen requirements in 
four areas:  air borders, visas, police cooperation and 
personal data protection.  (Note:  The date for the EU's 
evaluation of Estonian compliance with SIS has not yet been 
scheduled. End note.)  According to Jaanus Kirikmae, 
Director General, Consular Department of the MFA, EU 
assessments have been "positive" and Estonia is in a "good 
position to implement Schengen."  It is expected that for 
Estonia, all evaluation reports will be completed by this 
December (with the exception of SIS) when the EU's Justice 
and Home Affairs Council plans to review the reports for 
all of the countries wanting to fully implement Schengen. 
 
3. Air borders is the only sector where the GOE may have 
difficulty in meeting its timetable.  Estonia needs to 
build a separate terminal at the Tallinn Airport that will 
allow for the separation of travel to and from Schengen and 
non-Schengen countries. MFA and Ministry of Interior 
Officials could not confirm the specific schedule for 
construction, but highlighted that the aim is to have the 
new terminal built by the end of 2008. 
 
4. Estonia has received 76 million Euros (USD 95 million) 
from the EU Schengen Facility for the period 2004-2006. 
While the GOE has established 86 objectives in preparation 
for Schengen implementation, its priority is upgrading 
border guard capabilities and equipment.  46 million Euros 
(USD 58 million) have been dedicated to this sector.  The 
remainder of the money is being used in a variety of other 
projects, including establishment of a national SIS and 
enhanced electronic surveillance. 
 
5. Estonia is in the process of renewing or establishing 
new bilateral agreements with Latvia and Finland, in order 
to ensure smooth implementation of Schengen.  According to 
Piret Lillevali, an Advisor to the Ministry of Internal 
Affairs, while there are various bilateral agreements that 
relate to Schengen implementation the most numerous concern 
cross-border police cooperation.  In August 2006, Estonian 
Minister of Interior Kalle Laanet, and his Latvian 
counterpart Dzintars Jaundzeikars met in Valk, Latvia to 
sign an agreement on cross-border police cooperation. 
Estonia and Finland are currently negotiating a similar 
agreement. 
 
New Schengen Implementation Date for Estonia 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
6. Estonia originally planned to implement Schengen by the 
fall of 2007.  However, now it appears this will not happen 
until late 2008 or early 2009 due to a delay in the EU's 
introduction of SIS II.  A key aspect of Schengen 
implementation is full integration into the SIS, which 
provides personal identity and other data throughout the 
Schengen area.  SIS was created to allow police forces and 
consular agents from Schengen countries to access data on 
specific individuals (e.g. criminals and missing persons) 
and on goods which have been lost or stolen.  The European 
Commission is currently revising technological aspects of 
the SIS, (to become SIS II) in order to integrate new 
member states and to allow the database to be accessible to 
a larger number of institutions and legal authorities 
within Schengen countries. 
 
7. On September 7, 2006 an EU Council working group 
discussed a new timetable for the completion of the SIS II. 
According to this timetable, SIS II will not be ready to 
integrate the information systems of new member states 
until June 2008.  According to officials from both the MFA 
and the MOI, this could delay Estonia's implementation of 
Schengen to at least October 2008 or even more likely early 
2009.  Once Estonia has completed the steps necessary to 
integrate its systems with SIS II, the EU will still have 
to assess Estonian compliance with Schengen standards. 
 
Anticipated Effects of Schengen on Estonia 
------------------------------------------ 
 
8. As yet, GOE officials do not appear concerned that 
adoption of Schengen will result in serious asylum or 
illegal migration problems in Estonia.  According to Ele 
Russak, an Adviser in the Citizenship and Migration Policy 
Department of the Interior Ministry, Estonia receives very 
few asylum applications and the number has not increased 
since Estonia's accession to the EU in 2004.  (Note: 
Estonia received 15 asylum applications in 2004, 11 in 2005 
and 3 to date in 2006.  End note.)  Russak told us that she 
does not foresee Schengen per se increasing the numbers, 
but noted that the GOE is still in the process of reviewing 
the potential impact of Schengen on asylum applications. 
 
9. The Estonian Citizenship and Migration Board (CMB) is 
working on a system to shorten the average time it takes to 
process asylum applications and to prevent and reduce the 
misuse of the asylum system. In 2004 Estonia began 
exchanging information with the EURODAC Register - the EU's 
digital system for comparison of fingerprints of asylum 
seekers and illegal immigrants.  The register allows 
participating countries to ascertain if an alien has 
already applied for asylum in another EU member state. 
According to MFA's Jaanus Kirikmae, in cases where asylum 
seekers have already requested asylum elsewhere within the 
EU, those asylum seekers would be sent back to where the 
original application was filed. In 2000, the GOE opened a 
new Estonian Asylum Seekers Reception Center in Ida-Virumaa 
Country, in the northeast corner of Estonia.  The Center 
has rooms for receiving and interviewing applicants as well 
as temporary accommodations. 
 
10. To address issues related to illegal migration, the CMB 
established migration bureaus at four regional points in 
Tallinn, Johvi, Parnu and Tartu in 2004 and set up a 
database of illegal aliens in Estonia in 2005.  The CMB 
supports voluntary departure of aliens; it only expels them 
to their country of origin if they fail to leave 
voluntarily. Those awaiting expulsion are detained at the 
Repatriation Center. Since the Center's establishment in 
2003, it has accommodated only 53 people, the majority 
coming from Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine. 
 
11. GOE officials have only begun to consider the impact of 
Schengen on economic migration.  The MOI's Russak told us 
that the Ministry of Economy recently established a working 
group to analyze labor migration, with the aim of "possibly 
simplifying work permits."  She noted that preference will 
be given to EU nationals.  Russak also acknowledged that 
Estonia is facing a growing labor shortage which will also 
need to be considered during discussions on labor 
migration. 
 
Estonian Criticism of Delay 
-------------------------- 
 
12. Estonia's preparations for Schengen implementation 
appear to be progressing well. However given the magnitude 
of the airport terminal construction initiative and the 
EU's delay in implementing the SIS II, it is very possible 
that full implementation of the treaty could slip further. 
In a meeting September 29 in the Estonian island of 
Saaremaa, the chairpersons of the European Affairs 
committees of 8 EU member state national parliaments 
(Baltics, Poland, Sweden, Germany, Finland and Denmark) 
expressed support for an Estonian-initiated draft 
resolution criticizing the European Commission for the 
delay in the lauch of SIS II.  The draft resolution will be 
discussed further at a conference in Helsinki this 
November. 
 
WOS