Dear Reader

• Author: Jüri Saar
• Pages: 1-1

The fact that you are holding in your hands the 15th edition of Juridica International demonstrates the viability of the law journal of the University of Tartu and the success of the endeavour that started in 1996. The fastidious prior review of contributions has justified itself; over the years, our publication has become a highly valued channel for Estonian jurists for taking their research to the international arena. To our delight, foreign colleagues are publishing their articles in the journal with increasing frequency.

The general subject of this edition is "Estonia in the European Union: Creation and Implementation of New Laws". The Republic of Estonia, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary, has had to repeatedly prove itself when restoring independence and building up statehood. Membership in the European Union since 2004 finalised Estonia’s formal return to where it really belongs -- the family of Western democracies. Effective affiliation with the European cultural and legal area and the Europeanization of various areas of life is an ongoing process. The development of Estonian law to meet European standards requires continued efforts from our jurists and lawyers. This is a great and common task composed of the contributions of many persons in their respective specific fields, which eventually takes forward not only Estonian, but also European Union law.

The articles in this edition cover a wide range of topics, all of which are integrally related to the newest developments in the Estonian legal sphere. The first group of articles (by Hannes Veinla, Lasse Lehis, Inga Klauson, Helen Pahapill, Erki Uustalu, Merle Muda) are dedicated to the introduction of the principles of European Union directives into Estonian environmental law, tax law and labour law. The next group of articles relate to the harmonisation of private law in the European Union Member States and Estonian company law (authors Karin Sein, Mari Ann Simovart, Kalev Saare, Kadri Siibak, Age Värv, Luboš Tichý, Margit Vutt, Andres...