ABSTRACT

Since 1995, a certain modification of the nationality policy has taken place, mainly in regard to issuing of residence permits and foreign passports, and the question of integration of the Russian population in the Estonian society has obtained a more salient placement. Generally speaking, one can speak of mutual psychological adjustment, sample examples being that the Estonians have to accept the presence of the former ‘occupants’ while the Russians need to show more respect for Estonian history, mainly the years of Soviet occupation. In a more concrete sense, as pointed out by Professor John Hiden with whom the author discussed this at the Conference in Umea, one could ask the question whether the Russians themselves have formulated a strategy for integration in Estonian society. The Russian-Estonian Business Club, the purpose of which is to integrate Russian businessmen into the Estonian market economy, is an example of an attempted strategy.