Prime Minister Ratas: Estonian EU Presidency comes at a defining time for the future of Europe

The Estonian Government met with the European Commission i today in preparation for the Estonian Presidency i of the European Council i. Members of the government introduced the priorities of the Estonian Presidency to the Commission, and the events and challenges of that period were discussed.

“Estonian Presidency of the European Council falls on a defining time for the European Union,” Prime Minister Jüri Ratas i said. “The European Union does not just need to speak as one, but also to act as one, because unity shows its true value in action,” Ratas said.

One of the most fundamental challenges of the European Union is consistently explaining the value of the EU i and showing that the EU works, according to the Prime Minister. “We need to prove that we are willing and capable of making difficult decisions and show real results. The EU is an answer or at least an alleviation to crises, it finds answers to new challenges and works towards positive change.” Ratas added that both the Member States and EU institutions need to work first and foremost for the wellbeing if the citizens.

Estonia’s main goal as the Presidency is to keep the European Union united and decisive. “The European Union stands on the four fundamental freedoms and a shared understanding of peace and prosperity,” Ratas emphasised. “Keeping that in mind, the goal of the Estonian Presidency is to work with issues that help build and promote a Europe with an open and innovative economy, keep Europe safe, promote digital Europe and free movement of data, and ensure that the activities of the EU are inclusive and sustainable.”

“Estonia wants to keep unity through balance during our Presidency. For example - Europe has to keep up with technological change that changes our everyday life, but at the same time find balance in the challenges and opportunities that new technologies bring, and also how they relate to the nature around us,” said Prime Minister Ratas. “Balance is also important at the European Union decision-making level - only through balance can we keep unity among the EU 27 Member States.”

“The role of the Presidency is full of responsibility because the EU has become an inseparable part of our everyday life. Nearly 80 percent of Estonians consistently support EU membership and our common currency,” Ratas said. “During our Presidency, we need to make an effort to be stronger in the future, our people need to live better and the benefits of the EU should reach every country, city, municipality, and family.”

At the meeting with the European Commission, ministers gave an overview of Estonia’s priorities for the Presidency in their field, as well as of the more important current issues of the EU. Minister of Health and Labour Jevgeni Ossinovski introduced topics under the open and sustainable Europe priority. Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Kadri Simson introduced topics related to an open an innovative Europe, Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology Urve Palo introduced topics related to digital Europe and free movement of data. Minister of Foreign Affairs Sven Mikser talked about Brexit, and also Eastern Partnership.

Prime Minister Jüri Ratas will also meet the President of the European Council Donald Tusk i in Brussels to discuss plans and events in the second half of 2017.