Spanish Ambassador Eduardo Ibáñez López-Dóriga believes that instead of the Nordic countries Estonia should look more towards the South for cooperation partners – when purchasing trains or building motorways, for example. He would see big potential in Spain for Estonian ICT companies, whose e-government solution has impressed him greatly.

“In order to succeed, Estonia would need a better air link – at the moment it takes the same time to fly to New York as to Madrid,” commented the ambassador at the meeting with business organisation leaders at the Employers’ House. The complicated air connection is also inhibiting the development of two-way tourism.

Ambassador Eduardo Ibáñez acknowledged among other things Estonia’s efforts to join the EU’s common currency. He is positively impressed that Estonia is hoping to meet all the necessary requirements and will not apply for any special treatment.

The ambassador compared the economic crisis of Estonia and Spain saying that the common denominator was the bursting of the real estate bubble. Spain, however, fared somewhat better as the local banks had the experience of the 1990s crisis under their belts, which meant that their loan policies were very conservative.

The meeting that provided an overview of Spain’s economy and its priorities as one the EU’s current presiding countries was organised before the business organisations’ field trip to Spain from 17th to 23rd January. The trip will take place as part of the “Programme to improve the capability of Estonian business organisations" funded by the European Social Fund.

Source: The Employers' Confederation’s press release from 13th January 2010