Estonia’s former president, Arnold Rüütel, died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 96, ERR reports. He will be buried with full state honours. Rüütel was born on the island of Saaremaa in 1928. He was chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet in occupied Estonia in 1983-1990, chairman of the Supreme Soviet in 1990-1992, and president of Estonia in 2001-2006. President Alar Karis, parliamentary speaker Lauri Hussar, and Prime Minister Kristen Michal noted Rüütel’s key role in the restoration of Estonia’s independence in 1991, ERR reported. Former president Kersti Kaljulaid pointed to Rüütel’s “bridging role” in the transition from Soviet rule to independence and European integration. Estonia joined the EU and NATO in 2004.
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