Allow me to express in my address also full recognition to Prime Minister Mart Laar who has been the leader of the Estonian government during several critical periods. Mart Laar was the head of the Estonian government during one of the most difficult periods - from the autumn of 1992 to November 1994. This was the turbulent period of initial reforms not only in the economy but the entire society, immediately after the monetary reform and adoption of the constitution. But, with your kind consent, I shall hereby focus on economic issues. These were the times when Estonia’s foreign reserves, in the current denomination, could have been expressed in hundreds millions of euros, the average monthly wage was slightly above one thousand kroons and, by the end of 1992, three big banks had collapsed. These were the years just after the monetary reform when the question “for how long this kroon is going to last” was often asked in Estonia, but even more frequently abroad. The central bank has always stressed the essential backing provided to the stability of the kroon’s exchange rate and the financial system by the economic reforms at large and a stable, predictable budget in particular. We have repeatedly stressed that the foundation for our relative economic success was laid in 1992 and 1993. Our banks would not be so strong to date without solid customers - private enterprises, individuals.
It is obvious that no country, not even Estonia, when planning its economic policies should assume, for example, a 8-8% current account deficit spanning several years. Even if the latter is in the initial years financed through foreign direct investments, the adaptation of the economy is inevitable. The slower the economic growth is during the adaptation period, the more painful it is for the society. The goal of the economic policy should be the prevention of the internal demand-driven boom immediately prior and after the EU accession which will be followed by a significantly slower growth phase. Pre-accession economic programme and macroeconomic risks All these important issues are, to a certain extent, reflected in Estonia’s pre-accession economic programme which was recently approved by the government of the republic. I stress that the projections which form the basis of the national pre-accession programme and the premise that in Estonian economy the real total output is going to increase at the rate of about 6% per year are attainable only if the current economic policy continues. Keeping of the macrobalance is of critical importance for sustaining the economic growth and credibility of the monetary policy. The kroon’s fixed exchange rate and the forthcoming entry into the euro zone are by no means “free lunches”.