Aoun
said that Lebanon was keen to strengthen ties with Estonia in various
sectors, but especially in areas related to technology. He added
that Lebanon was seeking to establish a joint group for the two
countries to activate trade and increase Lebanon’s exports to Estonian
markets. Kaljulaid, at Baabda Palace, was thanked by Aoun for her country’s contribution to the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon.

Following
her meeting with Aoun, Kaljulaid met with Hariri at his Downtown Beirut
residence where she reiterated that her country was prepared to offer
Lebanon assistance in the digital sector. Their discussion also covered
regional developments and bilateral relations between Lebanon and
Estonia. “We can cooperate in wider sectors in the future,” Hariri
told Kaljulaid, adding that Lebanon was seeking assistance from Estonia
to promote e-government projects. “We understand you have done a
lot in e-government and this is something we would like to implement in
our country, so hopefully we can work together to do that,” Hariri said
in a statement following the meeting.

Hariri also thanked
Kaljulaid for her country’s support in UNIFIL, to which she responded,
“Estonia is very proud that in 2016 it was the fourth biggest per capita
contributor to the U.N. peacekeeping missions.” The Estonian
president arrived in Beirut Thursday for a three-day visit that included
a trip to south Lebanon to meet an Estonian battalion deployed with
UNIFIL force commander Maj. Gen. Michael Beary at the base in Naqoura. The
Estonian battalion, made up of around 40 peacekeepers, serves as part
of the over-10,000-strong military force from 39 countries. Later
Friday, Kaljulaid also met with Berri. The Parliament leader commended
Estonia for taking over the presidency of the European Union Council and
noted that the president’s visit would help Estonia gain an overview of
the regional situation before assuming the EU presidency from July.