Wednesday 3 May: the European Commission welcomes the Estonian government ahead of its presidency of the EU

The news:

The Prime Minister of Estonia, Jüri Ratas i, together with Members of his Government, will pay a visit to the European Commission i on Wednesday 3 May 2017. After a bilateral meeting between European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker i and Mr Ratas, the Commission Members and the Estonian ministers will have the opportunity to discuss - during the plenary meeting of the College - Estonia's upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU, as well as the key priorities to pursue jointly in the coming six months. The plenary meeting will be followed by a working lunch.

The background:

Twice a year, the European Commission invites the government of the Member State that will hold the next Presidency of the Council of the EU to participate in a plenary College meeting, in order to discuss the EU's priorities of the next six-month period. From 1 July 2017, Estonia will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time, as a part of the Presidency trio together with Bulgaria (January-June 2018) and Austria (July-December 2018).

The event:

Wednesday 3 May 2017: plenary meeting of the College of Commissioners with members of the Estonian government, followed by a working lunch. A press point with Commission President Juncker and Estonian Prime Minister Ratas will be held at 14.30 at the VIP-corner in the Berlaymont building. Available on EBS

The sources:

Website on the preparations of the Estonian presidency of the Council of the EU: https://www.eesistumine.ee/en

European Council Presidency of the EU: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/council-eu/presidency-council-eu/

AGENDA/17/969