TALLINN EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE

That this House congratulates the people and government of Estonia on securing for Tallinn the status of a European Capital of Culture for 2011; welcomes this accolade for a city which already enjoys UNESCO World Heritage Site status and whose historic core and architectural riches already attract many visitors from EU countries, including the United Kingdom; and hopes that Tallinn's programme of activities up to and including the Capital of Culture festivities will encourage tens of thousands more British visitors to go to Estonia and experience its rich cultural and national heritage while observing the enormous strides in prosperity and regeneration Estonia has made since resuming its independence in 1991.