Tallinn  - Estonia's president, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, on Friday called on his countrymen to set aside ethnic differences in a speech in the capital, Tallinn.

"An ethnic Russian who is a resident of Estonia is not a priori the supporter of Russia's national policies, just as every Estonian is not automatically a supporter of the [Andrus] Ansip government. Citizens of democratic countries do not connect their love of country with the person of the prime minister or president who happens to be in power at the time," Ilves said.

Andrus Ansip is the current prime minister of Estonia.

Riga/Tallinn  - Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves urged his country's stateless residents to adopt full citizenship on Wednesday.

Speaking at a ceremony in Tallinn at which he handed citizenship certificates to newly-qualified citizens, Ilves said: "Your will demonstrates that you trust and need Estonia. I affirm to you that Estonia trusts and needs you."

Estonia has an estimated 100,000 residents who do not have full citizenship, out of a total population of 1.3 million. Most non- citizens are ethnic Russians.

Tallinn  -  Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek in Estonian capital Tallinn urged the European Union to develop a common energy policy Tuesday.

Dublin  - Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves started a three-day state visit to Ireland Monday, Irish officials said.