"Without your personal contribution, many East European countries would not have advanced to where they are now, and there would be less democracy in the world," the president's office quoted Ilves as saying.
"Ilma teie isikliku rollita ei oleks suur hulk Ida-Euroopa maid edenenud sinnamaani, kus nad on praegu, ning maailmas oleks vähema demokraatiat," ütles Eesti riigipea.