Centre Party’s leader Edgar Savisaar confuses Eurodebate and voters

Centre Party may break up if the anti-EU opinions expressed by the party chairman Edgar Savisaar start dominating.

Savisaar, speaking at the party leadership meeting last Tuesday, said that emotionally it was difficult for him to vote for the EU accession at this point.

Some say that Savisaar’s sensitivity to EU accession may be linked to his role in restoring Estonia’s independence and to the issue of sovereignty. Other claims that it may be related to the fact that it could be difficult for him to become prime minister when Estonia is in European Union.

Experts say that if the Centre Party congress adopts a no-vote on 9 August, it could break up Estonia’s largest party. Among others, a large number of prominent members including ex-ministers could leave the party.

Two-thirds of children aged 6 to 14 use the Internet in Estonia

The latest IT survey of Emor shows that 576,000 Estonians aged from 15 to 74 are using the Internet. In one year, the number of Internet users increased by 59,000.

Emor notes that the main factor for increasing proliferation of the Internet is the growth in the number of household PCs and cheaper fixed Internet access. Half of families with children have computers at home, while most of them are connected to the Internet. Of children aged 6 to 14, two-thirds are already using the Internet. In one year half of the age group were using the Internet.

Türi Vodka makes Onistar Estonia’s No. 1 vodka exporter

Estonian vodka distillery Onistar was the largest alcohol exporter both in May and for the full year. In May, Onistar exported almost 200,000 litres of strong alcohol, about 40,000 litres more than Liviko.

In one year, Onistar exported over 1 million litres, against Liviko’s 644,000 litres.

Third-largest is Ofelia with 382,600 litres exported.

The bulk of Onistar’s exports is Türi Vodka which it distils under contract for Bacardi for the US market. In addition, Onistar owns two spirit factories in Estonia. Although Onistar’s Türi Vodka is expensive and exclusive, it is making waves in USA. “Türi is selling very well in USA.

Since last August we have produced and exported 710,000 litres of Türi for the US market. This is more than the original contract with Bacardi Martini Group,” said Tiit Maidre, adviser of the chairman of Onistar.

Maidre said that for the next year the sale of Türi on the US market should exceed one million litres.

Türi vodka costs 35 in US, which is seven times more expensive than standard vodka. The reason for such a high price is that it belongs to super premium quality class. Türi is distilled by Onistar in Estonia and is made only of Estonian rye.

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