Rule of law, economy behind success of Estonia, Finland.

Minister of Justice Antti Häkkänen on Monday said that the rule of law, free elections, civil rights and market economy are behind the success of the states of Estonia and Finland.

Speaking at the celebration of 100 years of Estonian Rule of Law in Tallinn, Häkkänen also said that Estonia – freed from socialism in the 1990s – is the best example in

Europe's recent history of success brought along by the adoption of new values.

“Building a society on a foundation formed by the rule of law, market economy, citizens' fundamental rights and free elections has helped Estonia find its pathway to success. The rule of law was the foundation on which we Finns also built our country and nation already before our independence. As President Svinhufvud's legacy, the rule of law, freedom as a state, and democracy that is based on free elections were Finland's inalienable fundamental values already then. We celebrated the centenary of Finland's independence last year – now it is time for all of us to celebrate your independence,” Häkkänen said.

According to Häkkänen, the values of the rule of law, market economy and democracy are now being challenged on many fronts.

Häkkänen said that China, Russia, Turkey and internal problems of the EU place ever more pressure on the fundamental values of the social order.

“Eastern European countries are the latest ones to have adopted civil liberties, democracy, the rule of law and market economy. Therefore, it is astonishing that it is

Poland that has started to question the rule of law development. People in Finland and Estonia have learned a tough lesson about what life without Western fundamental values is. We should support the Commission in its efforts to defend the rule of law together and with all possible measures,” Häkkänen said.