Journalist Argo Ideon, in a column for ERR News, urged Estonia and Latvia not to reduce their relations to symbolic rivalry, but to develop cooperation between the neighboring countries. He called mutual support “a light form of local globalism.”
Ideon was prompted to reflect by news of the possible appointment of an Estonian as head of a dairy company that produces Latvia’s Kārums curd snacks. The columnist noted that the deal has not yet been completed, but the topic has already triggered emotional reactions in Estonia and Latvia.
Products and owners
Ideon wrote that Estonian-Latvian cooperation in the food sector has existed for a long time. He referred to information he had read stating that the coconut-glazed Kārums curd snack contains milk from the Estonian county of Järvamaa, supplied by Estonia Farms.
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The author also cited the example of the Estonian confectionery factory Kalev, which has been owned by a Norwegian company since 2010. In Ideon’s view, the change of owner did not cause the brand’s products to disappear from stores or deprive them of their recognizability among consumers.
Aviation and Rail Baltica
The column mentions the cessation of Estonian Air’s operations in 2015, while Latvia’s airBaltic continued flying. Ideon writes that because of Latvia’s financial difficulties, some people in Estonia say that Estonian passengers flew cheaply for years at the expense of Latvian taxpayers.
The journalist also mentioned the construction of Rail Baltica, the situation around which he called not entirely clear to Estonians. In his opinion, instead of counting notional victories and defeats, neighboring countries should jointly advance shared causes. Ideon believes the same approach is appropriate in Estonia’s relations with Finland.
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