"The bilateral trade turnover increased by 11.8 per cent last year, against 2003, to hit a $1.7 billion mark," said the diplomat. He, however, pointed out a crying commercial imbalance, with Estonian imports from Russia exceeding the reverse 8.7-fold, for 2004.
Russia and Estonia share sizeable economic interests as Russia is using Estonian roads for its freight transits-mainly exports. The Russian-based company Severstaltrans is active in such transits.
There are joint industrial projects, too. Among the most successful, Yakovenko highlighted petroleum tank trucks manufactured in Ahtma, Estonia's northeast, and the Eesti gaas gas concern, with Russia's Gazprom company holding more than 30 per cent of authorized capital.
Russia looks forward to an alliance with Estonia against terrorism and other current threats and challenges.
Estonia is as one with the other post-Soviet Baltic countries on the EU and NATO to call those organizations to unified tough policies toward Russia.
