An innovative, secure, digital and inclusive Europe

Jüri Ratas i, Prime Minister

In July of this year, after the Maltese Presidency, Estonia will lead the work of 28 Member States of the European Union. Estonia’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, which due to Brexit, the decision by the British to leave the EU, was brought forward by six months did not, understandably, receive as much attention last year as Estonia’s presidential elections and our local administrative reform. However, in 2017, the presidency will be the most prominent international event for our country. It is our first opportunity to lead and direct the meetings, ministries, and working groups of the Council of the European Union; and together with the European Parliament, to reach significant agreements influencing the lives of Europeans; from the migration crisis to organic farming.

Even more importantly, while holding the EU presidency we shall have the opportunity to raise the questions that are important for Estonia, such as Europe’s energy and transportation connections. As well as initiating discussions that will have a broad impact on Europe’s data economy, and those that will raise Estonia’s international visibility by, among other things, providing the content for summit meetings with the EU’s eastern neighbours, Latin America and Africa. These are just some of the activities that will ultimately enhance Estonia’s reputation, provide opportunities for our businesspeople, and undoubtedly also improve the lives of people from Häädemeeste to Jõhvi. However, a justified question would be - how exactly is it going to improve the lives of Estonians?

Last Thursday, the government confirmed the priorities of the Estonian presidency. According to these, during the six months of our presidency, Estonia will draw greater attention within Europe to four specific values: the development of an innovative, digital, inclusive and secure European Union.

An open and innovative economy in Europe

It is important for Estonia that the unity of the EU is preserved, and its fundamental principles are raised to a new level - it should be easy to provide services, and to start up a business in Europe. Currently, approximately 70% of our exports go to the European market. In the context of Europe and the world, Estonian businesses are successful but their output levels are currently small. Yet our economic wellbeing is largely dependent on the export opportunities available to these companies.

It is in the interests of the businesses focusing on European markets, that uniform and non-bureaucratic rules exist in the open market, which will make conducting business simpler and less expensive. Such rules would make it much easier for companies, such as the Estonian Piano Factory, Wendre, Baltic Workboats, our wood pellet and oil factories, as well as telecommunications and construction companies, to operate in Germany, Malta, and the markets of all the other EU countries. In summary, this would create more opportunities for developing and growing our businesses, and thus improve the wellbeing of everyone in Estonia.

A secure and protected Europe

While holding the EU presidency, it is important for us that the EU continues to protect its core values - democracy, equality and the rule of law - as a strong and united force; also when it comes to many of the foreign policy issues. The crises we have witnessed near Europe’s borders, as well as further afield, have evidenced that the EU must place greater importance on defence issues.

This does not mean that the EU should be developed into an independent military organisation, but rather that the European states should make individual contributions into their defence; that the countries should cooperate in order to create and develop our capabilities; that they should stimulate R&D between the defence industries; and make greater contributions in those areas that are not covered by NATO.

Europe must actively fight against terrorism, and protect its borders, thereby contributing to the security of its people. The migration crisis, terrorist attacks, and crime in general are challenging the effectiveness of the Schengen system, which could lead to restrictions on the freedom of movement and travel for our people. Such restrictions would be a great blow to the entire European economy, and the trust and cooperation that exists between the Member States.

Therefore, while holding the EU presidency, we want to improve international information exchange significantly. In order to achieve this, the full potential of modern technology must be harnessed; new European cross-border databases must be created, along with systems for exchanging data on travellers, etc. We cannot and should not lock down Europe, but the digital firewall supporting the security on our borders must be strengthened.

A digital Europe and the free movement of data

In Estonia, we are used to being able to carry out all of our daily tasks easily owing to the host of digital services available to us. However, this may not be the case for the rest of the 500 million Europeans and this ease of doing things digitally usually disappears once we cross a physical or virtual national border.

While holding the presidency, we want to expand this ease of carrying out your daily tasks online, which Estonia is famous for, to the rest of Europe. People should not be forced to knock on doors or waste their time to try and evidence their qualifications and skills, and neither should companies have to knock on doors and waste their time when applying for permits and licences in another Member State.

Throughout the European Union, people should be able to buy and sell goods, listen to music and watch films online easily and without restrictions. We hope that in the future, a digital prescription issued by a GP in Tallinn will be readily accepted by any pharmacy within the EU, whether it is located in Tartu, Tampere or Thessaloniki.

An inclusive and sustainable Europe

When it comes to an inclusive Europe, Estonia would like the European Union to focus greater attention on the future of its people. Many professions are disappearing and new ones are developing in their place; the nature and forms of work are constantly changing; goods are being delivered to people by package robots; and a car can already drive down the road without a driver. We must guarantee better possibilities for the development of skills, employment, and access to services for our people.

Just as importantly, we must find solutions to the issues related to the rights of workers temporarily posted abroad, as well as those related to the benefits available to people working or living in the other Member States.

By inclusivity, we also mean participating in work and community life more broadly; by enabling people to balance their work and family lives; and by reducing inequality and improving accessibility.

During our presidency, the keywords for a sustainable Europe will be a circular economy and climate regulations. We are working toward making landfills a thing of the past, and towards waste being increasingly sorted by category and reused as a resource. Europe must also reduce the amount of carbon emissions from energy production, industry, transportation and agriculture.

Based on these keywords and priorities, we shall draw up a more detailed presidency programme before July 2017. As the Prime Minister of Estonia, I hope that, in the years to come, the year 2017 will be marked as the time when we overcame crises and found the strength to carry on together as a strong European family.