1. Politics and Economy by Ave Abroi

2. Administrative Division Counties County Government Local municipalities Provincial & town councils Towns Rural districts Administrative reform Aim Radical variant Reality Cost Responsibility Deadline

3. History of Independence Up to the 12 th century 24 th Feb 1918 – Republic of Estonia 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact 1987 Hirvepark 1988 The Singing Revolution 1989 Baltic Chain 20th Aug 1991 military coup

4. Major Events and Changes 1991 - 2002 20 th Aug 1991 – Declaration of Independence 1992 – Constitution. Monetary Reform 1995 – membership in the Council of Europe 1997 – EU accession negotiations begin 2000 – Sidney Olympics 2001 – Eurovision 2002 – Salt Lake City Etc.

5. The President The head of the state Supreme commander of Estonia’s National Defence Forces Term Rights Responsibilities

6. The Riigikogu Functions Composition Elections Factions Committees Procedures

7. The Government Formation Function Composition Coalition Opposition

8. Population Size Fluctuation Migration Ethnic composition Natural increase Citizenship

9. Economy Key indicators: GDP growth GDP per capita Annual inflation Average monthly wage Unemployment

10. Entrepreneurship Sole trader Partnership Limited company Public limited company Structural unemployment

11. Exports - Imports Top investors Export markets Import markets Major export items Major import items

12. Banking Major banks Currency rates Reserve requirements Stock exchange

13. Taxes Personal Income Tax Business Tax VAT Excise Duties Social Security Payment Health Insurance

14. Agriculture Traditions Main branches Distribution of land use Employment Share in GDP Market

15. Business Conventions “Rather die than communicate!” Small talk Degree of formality The concept of time Networking Taboo topics