The Bank of Estonia said on Tuesday that exports were shoring up the domestic economy, the day before the Baltic state is due to learn if it has met the standards required to enter Europe's economic and monetary union (EMU).

"The first quarter GDP received a positive impact from increasing exports. Goods exports in current prices went up by nearly a sixth compared to last year," said Peeter Luikmel, an economist at the central bank. However, the economy remains mired in recession, with output in