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Missing : Tõnu - 55 yo and Brigite - 13 yo

Police invites anyone who knows anything about Tõnu´s location to call the Northern police on 612 4365 or on the short 110 e-mail : vjatseslav.vimberg@pohja.pol.ee

Police invites anyone who knows anything about Brigite´s location to call the North-East police on 612 4810, 612 4825 or on the short 110

Estonia in TOP 5 for undeclared work

by kairikurm

Estonia among the first five for undeclared workforce, it appears from data released by Eurofound, E24.ee reports. 11 pct of Estonian residents said that they’ve done undeclared work in the past year. Estonia is fourth with that result – Denmark (18 pct), Latvia (15 pct) and Netherlands (13 pct) are first three and fifth is Sweden (10 pct).

Some five percent of workers in the 27 EU Member States and Norway carry out undeclared work, seriously affecting public finances by tax and social contributions, according to a new report from Eurofound, the Dublin-based EU Agency.

Across the EU, a majority (55%) of all undeclared work is conducted for friends, family and neighbours, the report found. A further 20% is conducted on a self-employed basis for other private persons or households, while just 20% related to undeclared waged employment. The remaining 5% is unrecorded or not known.

There are, however, big differences between countries. On the one hand, in some countries, the participation rate is much higher, including Denmark (18%), Latvia (15%), the Netherlands (13%), Estonia (11%) and Sweden (10%). In the other countries, levels are low, for example in Germany (3%), Ireland (4%) and in Romania (4%). While undeclared workers participated in this form of work for an average of almost 200 hours during the past 12 months across the EU as whole, undeclared workers in southern Europe appear to have worked an average of 350 hours in this sphere compared with 330 hours among central eastern Europeans, 110 hours among those in Continental Europe and 60 hours in the Nordic countries.

Estonia to host Omega Mission Hills world cup qualifier

The Estonian Golf and Country Club will have the honour of hosting the 2009 Omega Mission Hills World Cup European Qualifier from September 24 – 27.

Two-man teams from around the globe are expected to battle it out for the three qualifying spots available and the chance to take part in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup at Mission Hills, China from November 26 – 29.

The European Tour will have responsibility for overseeing the European qualifying tournament and will work closely with the both staff and members of the Estonian Golf and Country Club to deliver a memorable Estonian experience for competing players.

Keith Waters, Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: “Staging the Omega Mission Hills World Cup European Qualifier in Estonia is very much in keeping with the spirit upon which the World Cup was founded. Bringing a truly international event such as this to an emerging golf market such as Estonia can only serve to further accelerate the growth of the game in this country and also in this part of Europe.”

The Estonian Golf and Country Club, which opened in 2005, is one of the finest golf courses in Eastern Europe and one of only eight venues to come under auspices of European Tour Courses .

Mait Schmidt, President of Estonian Golf and Country Club, said: “It is a great honour for Estonian Golf and Country Club to be the host venue of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup European Qualifier and to be able to showcase golf in Estonia. Golf is growing rapidly in Estonia and we look forward to hosting the best players from Europe and around the Globe as they attempt to qualify for a world class event such as the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.”

The ultimate Estonian taboo: “Maarja is also leaving Estonia...”

By Joao Lopes Marques

It is never easy to write about — or to break — a national taboo. I will do my best: Estonia is on the verge of a dramatic social convulsion. Statistics don’t show this demographic trend, but it seems to me all my female friends and acquaintances are about to leave the country.

“Can you explain why?” I asked Maarja.
“Because I am fed up with Estonian men,” she quickly replied. “Besides being arrogant, they drink too much and don’t make any effort to seduce us! They know it is still quite easy to get a girl in Estonia... Historically, there are more women than men in Estonia.” 

“They became blind with this neo-liberal model from the 1990s and they just think of being successful,” said Triin, who also has a foreign boyfriend. “They think money is everything, that they can be fat and nasty as long as they can show off their car or wallet. Plus it is not difficult for them to get a good position and visibility here – independence is so recent that success is easier here than abroad...”

Marta, another disillusioned Estonian, said the phenomenon was a product of the breakup of the Soviet bloc.

Russian visa application process simplified for border residents

As a result of co-operation between the Estonian and Russian foreign ministries, the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation notified the Estonian Foreign Ministry today that it will begin issuing visas to the Russian Federation by a simplified process to residents of border areas whose travel is related to science, cultural or art events, including university and other exchange programmes. To this end Russia will issue free multiple-entry visas to residents of border areas visiting Russia.

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet confirmed that Estonia is interested in continuing to cultivate good relations in the cultural and education fields, including developing cultural ties between Estonia and Russia’s border areas.

“Facilitating border crossing for border residents is an essential step for active cultural co-operation. This is also supported by the cultural co-operation agreement between Estonia and Russia signed at the beginning of this year,” said Paet. For an example of good cultural co-operation, Paet mentioned the Estonian cultural days that took place this summer for the first time ever in St. Petersburg.

In addition to participants in science, cultural and art events, those border residents planning to visit the burial sites of loved ones can also apply for a visa to the Russian Federation using the simplified process. In such cases, the border resident applicant is issued a free single-entry Russian visa.

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Stockmann sold its shares to the Estonian subsidiary

Juhan Tere

One of majority stockholders of the Nordic retailer Stockmann sold shares for 0.25 billion kroons to a subsidiary operating in Estonia. The most likely reason for the deal is that Stockmann wants to get tax-free money from the company, BBN/LETA quoted Äripäev.

At the end of the last year Stockmann, which is listed on Helsinki stock Exchange, sold 10% of Stockmann AS stocks worth 234.7 billion kroons to its Estonian subsidiary.

If Stockmann paid the same amount as dividends, it also should have paid 62 million kroons as income tax. Currently the holding company got the money tax-free and for unknown period.

Pekka Vähähyyppä, the Chief Financial Officer of Stockmann told Äripäev that their aim was to manage cash-flow as the whole group. He didn't say whether the company tried to pass obligation of paying the income tax.

Lasse Lehis, the chairperson of the Estonian Taxpayers Union, commented this deal as a chance to postpone paying income tax on income. However, the parent company must either buy these stocks back or Stockmann should become a branch of Stockmann.

Estonian Air boosts market share of regular flights to 51.5%

Estonian Air has robustly increased its market share at Tallinn Airport in the regular flights segment, achieving the highest market share in recent years, 51.5%. The most popular destination from Tallinn airport was Copenhagen.

In the first six months the market share of Estonian Air in the regular flights segment at Tallinn Airport was 45.8% which is 0.8 percentage ponts higher y-o-y. The total market share (regular and charter flights) was 42%, which is 0.5 percentage points higher y-o-y.

In June the market share of Estonian Air in the regular flights segment at Tallinn Airport was 51.5%, which is 5 percentage points higher y-o-y. The total market share (regular and charter flights) was 45.3%, which is 3.2 percentage points higher y-o-y.  

In the first six months Estonian Air carried altogether 277 756 passengers, 251 292 of these on regular flights. The total number of passengers decreased 26.2% y-o-y, on regular flights 26%, while Tallinn Airport passenger number decreased by 26.8 in both categories respectively.

In June Estonian Air carried 57 867 passengers, 54 659 of these on regular flights. The total number of passengers decreased 21.9%, on regular flights 20.4%,while Tallinn Airport passenger number decreased by 27.2 and 28.2% respectively.

Estonian Air in tail spin

By Ashley Brettell

TALLINN - The Estonian national air carrier is fighting for survival after announcing that its losses in 2008 had trebled.

The financial results for 2008 revealed a loss of 171 million kroons (10.9 million euros), despite sales revenue rising by 6 percent to 1.46 billion kroons.  This was over three times worse than the 52 million kroon loss incurred in 2007.

Estonian Air is jointly owned by the Estonian state 34 percent, the SAS Group, 49 percent and Investment Company AS Cresco, 17 percent.

Tallinn Maritime festival promises to be bigger and better

By Ella Karpetyan

TALLINN - The capital of Estonia welcomes its citizens and guests to take part in this year’s Tallinn Maritime Days festival, which takes place from July 17-19.
The festival is a joint project of the City of Tallinn, Port of Tallinn, Estonian Maritime Museum, Estonian Union of Historical Ships and the Tallinn 2011 Foundation.
Tallinn Maritime Days will take place in the Admiralty Basin and Seaplane Harbor, which are connected by the future sea promenade – the so-called “Culture Kilometer.”

The festival will provide a grand setting for several maritime-themed events, ranging from song and dance performances, late-night film screenings, food markets, an exhibition at the Estonian Maritime Museum, children’s entertainment, as well as boat trips, and other water attractions.
The Tallinn Cycle Race will also be held in conjunction with the event. Participants are required to register beforehand.

This spectacular event, which is being held for the second consecutive year, is a unique opportunity for visitors to greet the dozens of sailing ships visiting Tallinn as part of this year’s Tall Ships’ Races.

Estonia is among the unhappiest countries in the world

Something that you will all be "glad" to know ...

A survey that was carried out by British researchers indicated that the happiest and the greenest place of residents in the world is Costa Rica while Estonia is quite far from it, writes the National Broadcasting/LETA.

Researchers of the think tank New Economics Forum compared the average life expectancy of residents of different countries, residents' satisfaction with their lives as well as the so-called ecological footprints of the countries.

Estonia ranks 131st in the list as the average life expectancy of local residents is only 71.2 years and only 56% of Estonian residents are satisfied with their lives. The country's big ecological footprint is the biggest factor in Estonia's bad position – far behind Russia that ranks 108th.

Lithuania ranks 86th and Latvia 101st. Finland is on the 59th position and Sweden on the 53rd place.

12 African countries are the only ones behind Estonia. Poor consolation !

 

Bank of Estonia : regulated prices are fuelling inflation rate in Estonia

Juhan Tere

The Bank of Estonia noted that it is highly irregular to compensate for the decline in revenue with raising prices, writes EPL Online/LETA.

The central bank commented on the consumer price index statistics published on Tuesday, noting that companies’ sales options for foreign markets are still small and the decline in the income of households is also keeping sales down on the domestic market. Therefore the prices of several goods continued falling. The seasonal decline in prices of foodstuffs and clothing could also be noted.

The increasing prices of motor fuels was also felt, increasing the price level by nearly 0.4%.

The prices of several services increased in June, partly due to the abrupt surge in the notary fees (up to 7 + times the previous fees!). Compensating for the fall in incomes due to the low point on the market with increasing prices is unusual, and it is only possible in the part of economy where market forces are weak. This includes a significant part of communal services, public transport and energy market where prices have thus far not started falling from their peak levels.

According to the central bank, the administratively regulated prices, i.e. those controlled by Government authorities and local governments, need to be flexible, following the overall state of the economy, the cost dynamics and the principle of efficiency. Hence, not all of the increase in the value added tax needs to be transferred to end consumers.

SEB : Prices to rise in July and August ....

Juhan Tere

Analyst of SEB Pank Ruta Arumäe stated that in the month-on-month comparison, the prices will quite probably increase in July and in August 2009 due to the rises in VAT and in excise taxes, writes Postimees Online/LETA.

“We expect the year-on-year inflation in July to be minus 0.7% !!!!! and the month-on-month inflation rate 0.8%,” said Arumäe.

She explained that the increase in the excise tax on fuel will significantly increase the inflation rate while the surge in the value added tax will not raise prices more than by 1.7%.

According to Arumäe, thus far one of the major factors bringing prices down was the decline in the price of heating, but this effect will end in July. In the year-on-year comparison, the price decline in June was a little greater than expected. “We expected the year-on-year price decline in June to reach 0.7%,” she remarked. She added that it was to be expected that for a while, the month-on-month price decline has ended.

Arumäe explained the increase in the prices of services while the prices of goods have fallen with the different sensitivity to economic cycles. “Sales of good reacts faster and falls deeper and hence the prices will suffer more,” she noted, adding that the prices of services react slower and less.

Sales of cars on the same level as nine years ago

Juhan Tere

The car sales that fell to record low levels in May increased in June 2009, but is still on the same level as nine years ago, writes the National Broadcasting/LETA.

In June, Estonian car dealerships sold 852 new cars – by 144 less than in May. In June last year, 2,277 new cars were sold – hence the car sales have fallen nearly three times in a year.

For the third month in a row, the most popular car brand in June was Toyota, selling 133 cars. It was followed by Volkswagen (82), Citroen (77), Skoda (59) and Honda (58 cars).

Scotland’s golfers face World Cup qualifying test in Estonia

Scotland face another World Cup qualifying ordeal in Estonia, but this time it is on the fairways and not the football field.

"There's only one team in Tallinn," was the chant from the Tartan Army when John Collins kicked off in the 1996 football match that was abandoned after three seconds when the home team failed to turn up.

Now it is our golfers who face the prospect of qualifying for the World Cup that they won two years ago, having ended the 2009 qualifying process in 19th place, one short of the 18 who are automatically exempt for the tournament in Mission Hills, China, on November 26-29.

The two-man team is also likely to change. Gary Orr, Scotland's top-ranked player, would have teamed up with the next player on the world list, Alastair Forsyth, but if Scotland do have to qualify the team will be made up from the top two on the Race to Dubai European Tour standings.

That would eliminate Orr and instead David Drysdale would team up with Forsyth for the qualifier which has still to be confirmed but is in the process of being arranged in Estonia on September 24-27. There are 10 further qualifying places up for grabs.

A total of 15 nations have confirmed for the finals and the only hope Scotland have of making the field is if either the US, Japan or South Africa pull out, and that prospect is unlikely.

Although it is thought that more than a dozen US players have already turned down the chance, there are more than 20 others ahead of Orr in the rankings who would have to follow suit for Scotland to qualify.

Businessman from Netherlands bought hotel "The Three Sisters" in Tallinn

Juhan Tere

Johannes Wientjes, the businessman from the Netherlands, a couple of months ago reached agreement over buying luxury hotel "The Three Sisters" in Tallinn from Estonian entrepreneur Tarmo Sumberg, Eesti Päevaleht/LETA writes.

The hotel "The Three Sisters" is located in the very heart of the Old Tallinn. The group of three merchant houses was built in 1362, and renovated in 2003, preserving the unique Hanseatic style.

Johannes Wientjes is the owner of Fashion Palace, a moll which offers a wide selection of jewellery, clothes, footwear, and accessories, including those of world-famous fashion brands.

"The reason of sale was hedging risks," Sumberg explained the reason he sold Kolm Õde to a company Maslé Onroerend Goed B.V. belonging to Wientjes.

"The economic situation in the Baltics is complicated, especially in spheres related to tourism and real estate," Sumberg pointed out.

The businessman didn't comment on his intention to attract investors to hotel "Telegraaf" in Tallinn, or "Albert" in Riga, or SPA hotels in Tallinn and Kuressaare.

According to Wientjes, he wanted to buy a five-star hotel in Tallinn since the last autumn.

"Estonia can't be an impressive producer country, but it's a great place for tourism and business meetings, for instance," he said.

Wientjes plans to improve the quality of the service in the hotel, and reorganise its wine-yard into a winter-garden.

According to him, Tallinn is a mix of influences from German and Swedish culture and the city has huge potential to bring rich Russian tourists.

"The Three Sisters" is a member of the prestigious Design Hotels group.

Jobless rise dashes Europe's upturn hopes

As in the U.S., growing unemployment rates in the EU and euro zone undercut optimism that the global economic crisis is easing.

By Lucia Kubosova

As fresh statistics in both Europe and the US dash hopes for an early economic recovery, Brussels is proposing micro loans to small firms in a bid to help them keep local jobs.

According to data published by Eurostat, the EU's statistical office, on Thursday (2 July), the jobless rate in the eurozone was 9.5 percent in May, up from 9.3 percent in April. It is the highest rate since May 1999 and it involves around 15 million men and women.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate across the bloc was 8.9 percent in May, a four year high. The number of jobless persons increased by 385,000 compared to the previous month and by 5.1 million since May 2008.

Altogether, it is expected that some 3.5 million jobs will be lost this year across the EU.

Another poisoned gift from our government after the 2% of June : Unemployment tax up again to 2,80% from 01/08/2009 !

Töötuskindlustusmakse määrad 2009. aastal
Vabariigi Valitsuse 2. juuli 2009. a määrus nr 116

Määrus kehtestatakse «Töötuskindlustuse seaduse» § 41 lõike 5 alusel.

§ 1. Reguleerimisala
Määrusega kehtestatakse kindlustatu ja tööandja töötuskindlustusmakse määrad alates 1. augustist 2009. a.

§ 2. Kindlustatu töötuskindlustusmakse määr
Kindlustatu töötuskindlustusmakse määr 1. augustist kuni 31. detsembrini 2009. a on 2,8% «Töötuskindlustuse seaduse» §-s 40 nimetatud summadelt.

§ 3. Tööandja töötuskindlustusmakse määr
Tööandja töötuskindlustusmakse määr 1. augustist kuni 31. detsembrini 2009. a on 1,4% «Töötuskindlustuse seaduse» §-s 40 nimetatud summadelt.

§ 4. Määruse kehtetuks tunnistamine
Vabariigi Valitsuse 30. aprilli 2009. a määrus nr 71 «Töötuskindlustusmakse määrad 2009. aastal» (RT I 2009, 24, 147) tunnistatakse kehtetuks.

§ 5. Määruse jõustumine
Määrus jõustub 1. augustil 2009. a.

Peaminister Andrus ANSIP

Sotsiaalminister Hanno PEVKUR

Riigisekretär Heiki LOOT

Hundred of Thousands of people are celebrating Estonian Song and Dance tradition

Yesterday, on 4th of July started one of the biggest song and dance celebrations in Europe. In this year`s celebration which is held in Estonian capital city Tallinn, almost 35 000 performers and more than 100 000 spectators come to celebrate Estonian singing and dancing heritage that goes back 140 years.

Tallinn - The repetitions of the dance celebration started already on June 30th. Choirs and brass bands started to arrive to Tallinn on July 2nd. Altogether there will be 864 choirs and brass orchestras, including 26430 singers and musicians who will perform at the celebration along with 534 dance and gymnastic groups with 7460 dancers and gymnasts. In addition to Estonian singers and dancers, 41 foreign collectives with 1340 singers are expected to participate.

Internationally active Estonian entrepreneur and spectator of this year`s celebration Margus Reinsalu is glad that Estonian Song and Dance Celebration is the country's internationally most famous event: "The Song and Dance Celebration is not simply a big festival of singing and dancing but also a way to demonstrate the national spirit. It is definitely an unforgettable experience for anyone who attends it."

Finland ends Estonia's reign in wife-carrying

HELSINKI — Finland put an end to Estonia's 11-year reign and took gold and bronze on Saturday at the annual Wife-Carrying World Championships held in Sonkajaervi, central Finland, organisers said.

Taisto Miettinen raced through a 250-metre (273-yard) course with two hurdles and a pool in 62 seconds, carrying Kristiina Haapanen on his back. The winners beat Estonia's Alar Voogla and Kristi Viltrop by 0.1 seconds.

Miettinen has been attending the competition for a decade now and said he was pleased to finally win.

"A couple of times I have lost by 0.1 seconds and I have stumbled. Our win tastes now really good," Miettinen said in a statement.

Although Estonia's long chain of wins in wife-carrying was brought to an end, Voogla said he was happy with silver and added the cool and cloudy weather had an impact on their race.

"It was not our day, in the cool weather it was slightly difficult and the run did not go as planned," he noted.

Finns Heikki Hannukainen and Heini Rauhamaa came in third and were some six seconds slower than the victors.

Sonkajaervi village, located some 490 kilometres (302 miles) north of Helsinki, has in the past 14 years made its entertaining wife-carrying competition known around the world and this year competitors came from eight countries including Australia, Ireland and Czech Republic.

The race was inspired by the legend of a local thug, Herkko Rosvo-Ronkainen, who lived in a forest and is said to have snatched food and sometimes ladies from villages in the region.

Blues try out top Estonian

Chris Phillips

ESTONIAN international defender Andrei Stepanov will today join Southend United on trial.

The 30-year-old centre-back, who was with Watford last season, has won more than 70 caps for his country.

And he will be now be training with Blues for the next few weeks.

“Andrei was recommended to us by an agent and we will be having a look at him in training,” confirmed Shrimpers boss Steve Tilson.

“He’s played at a decent level and has experience at international level and we obviously need a defender so it makes sense to bring him in.

“The plan is for him to play in a few of our pre-season games and then we will go from there and make a decision.”

Stepanov has played his club football in Estonia with FC TVMK Tallinn and Lelle SK before moving onto Russian outfits Torpedo Moscow and FC Khimki.