Estonia, a small high-tech country in northern Europe, has shown such resilience over recent months, winning the world’s first cyber war, and effectively handling mass protests and nights of rioting over the relocation of a memorial to World War 2. This is a country that does not live in its past.

The Estonian government, led by Andrus Ansip, has shown decisive decision-making capabilities and a natural aptitude for being a global player. Partnership is important, and membership of both NATO and the EU has been important for the country’s psyche.

The country is achieving double-digit gross domestic product (GDP) growth, runs an open economy and is flexible and robust enough to thrive. FDI contributes to nearly 10% of GDP, and by offering a low tax, light touch economy, it is one of the best FDI performers in Europe per capita.

Mr Ansip, a former mayor of Estonia’s historical university town Tartu and a chemist by training, is now in his second term after winning the March 2007 election.

His current agenda is to continue the government’s policy of tight fiscal control and support for an unrestricted market economy, continuing the country’s strong GDP growth.