Ratas meets Prime Minister of Norway

Prime Minister Jüri Ratas i discussed the priorities of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union with Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg, along with cooperation between the countries, also giving Estonian e-Residency to his counterpart at the meeting in Tallinn.​

“Beginning in July, the Estonian Presidency will be looking for solutions to the migration and refugee crisis and to the issues of energy and climate and it also coincides with the start of Brexit talks,” Ratas noted. “At this time, the most important thing for Estonia is to maintain the unity and decisiveness of the European Union, which is also important for the Kingdom of Norway and all other EU partners.”

Ratas introduced to Solberg the priorities of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU and emphasised the interest of Estonia in developing a digital Europe and promoting free movement of data. “Free movement of data should be a natural part of the European single market and the fifth fundamental right of the European Union,” he added.

Ratas said that Estonia is interested in strengthening cybersecurity and IT-related cooperation with Norway. Estonia also wishes to start negotiations on the mutual recognition of e-Residency and digital signature. Today, the Prime Minister of Estonia ceremonially gave e-Residency to Solberg.

The meeting also focused on bilateral relations between Estonia and Norway. Ratas recognised the active involvement of Norway in ensuring the security of our region.

“The contribution of Norway to our security through the Air Policing Mission of the Baltic States and NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence [CCDCOE] in Tallinn is undoubtedly important. Norway is a valued ally of Estonia both in NATO and the Nordic region; we have similar viewpoints and good and intertwined relations,” the Prime Minister of Estonia said.

The meeting also covered the topics of the EU’s Eastern Partnership and relations with Russia. Ratas noted that Estonia is interested in a long-term cooperation with Norway concerning the countries of the Eastern Partnership, especially in the context of Ukraine. The aim of the Eastern Partnership is to strengthen the cooperation and integration of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus with the EU.