Estonia simplifies the procedure for obtaining a residence permit for refugees from Ukraine, from March 9, they can apply for a residence permit in one day. The corresponding order was adopted on Tuesday by the government of the republic.
“Today’s government decision will help reduce the bureaucracy for traumatized military refugees from Ukraine. This will allow them to more easily and quickly adapt to life in Estonia,” Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said.
According to the order, a refugee from Ukraine can apply for temporary protection in the form of a residence permit for a year, and then extend this period, the government explained.
Persons under temporary protection, as well as those close to them, are provided with services such as accommodation and meals, health insurance, they are granted the right to work in Estonia, and children are provided with access to pre-school and basic education.
Refugees are entitled to a living allowance, other cash benefits, such as family benefits. All those in need of assistance are entitled to emergency social assistance, they can participate in language learning and adaptation programs free of charge.
Since February 27, more than 7,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Estonia, including 2,610 children. Until now, most of the refugees came to Estonia to stay with their relatives or friends. Earlier it was reported that Estonia is ready to accept up to 10,000 refugees.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have opened borders for Ukrainians for all types of travel, according to the recommendation of the European Council, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said.
“Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania have opened for all types of travel for Ukrainians, according to the recommendation of the EU Council. Visa-free weekend in the Baltic countries? Now it is possible again,” Kuleba said on his Twitter.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will pay an official visit to the Republic of Estonia on November 26, and the Republic of Lithuania on November 27.
“During the visit, negotiations are scheduled between the head of state and Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid, as well as meetings with President of the Riigikogu (parliament) Henn Põlluaas and Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas,” the press service of the president of Ukraine said.
Also in Tallinn, the presidents of Ukraine and Estonia will take part in the Digital Forum.
During his visit to Lithuania, Zelensky will take part in the twelfth meeting of the Council of Presidents of Ukraine and Lithuania.
“During the visit, it is planned to hold separate negotiations between the head of state and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Lithuanian Seimas Speaker Viktoras Pranckietis and Prime Minister of Lithuania Saulius Skvernelis,” it said.
Also in Vilnius, the presidents of Ukraine and Lithuania will take part in the Fifth Bilateral Economic Forum.
The Ukrainian national football team has defeated the Estonian team in a friendly match with a score of 1:0. The meeting took place in Zaporizhia on Thursday evening.
The only goal was scored by the Belgian Gent midfielder Roman Bezus in the last seconds of added time by a free kick and a rebound from ex-football player of the Lviv Carpathians Serhiy Zenev.
The Danish agro-company Agromino with assets in Ukraine, Russia and Estonia received EUR 6.6 million of net profit in January-June 2019 against EUR 2.8 million of net loss for the same period in 2018.
According to a company report on the website, total income, adjusted for the fair value of assets and reserves, for the first half of this year increased 10%, up to EUR 30.2 million.
Agromino’s EBITDA for the six months was positive and totaled EUR 10.2 million in comparison with negative indicator in p2018 – EUR 1.8 million.
Consolidated assets of the agricultural company at the end of June 2019 were estimated at EUR 92.9 million compared to EUR45.4 million by the end of 2018.
Agromino in the second quarter of 2019 saw 21% million rise in net profit against EUR 9.8 million of net profit for the same period last year. Total revenue for this period increased by 9.5%, to EUR 22.2 million.
Agromino (formerly Trigon Agri) was established in 2006. It specializes in grain and dairy production, agricultural trade.
In Ukraine, the company owns four silos with a capacity of 145,000 tonnes. Its land bank is about 45,000 hectares in Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Kirovohrad regions.
The Ukrainian-Estonian Chamber of Commerce (UECC) has started work in Tallinn (Estonia), the chamber said in a press release.
Vitali Galitskih, the head of the Tallinn office of the Ilyashev and Partners law firm, and Aleksandr Timarov, the CFO of Elme Messer in Estonia, became members of its board.
“The Chamber plans together with the Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia and the Embassy of Estonia in Ukraine to assist in establishing contacts and organizing cooperation between Estonian and Ukrainian companies, and also promote their interests in government authorities,” Galitskih said.
The company did not specify the number of member companies, citing the fact that negotiations are still underway.
Some 3,431 Ukrainians got the status of e-resident of Estonia. This is the third largest indicator among foreigners. Ukrainian e-residents founded the largest number of companies among foreign entrepreneurs in Estonia – 729, according to the press release.
