Yesterday 10 May, Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets attended the meeting of European Union foreign affairs ministers in Brussels.
The Foreign Affairs Council covered topics such as a the next steps in the cooperation between the European Union and the United States ahead of the EU-US summit in June, and enhancing the partnership with the Western Balkans in view of the EU enlargement process. The ministers also discussed the situation in Afghanistan, developments with Russia, Belarus, the Iran nuclear deal and the global health situation.
“Estonia fully supports close transatlantic cooperation in the framework of the European Union. At the EU-US summit in June, we would like to agree on priority areas and specific actions. Estonia would like to pay particular attention to trade, as well as digital and cyber affairs,” Minister Liimets said. EU foreign ministers endorsed setting clear objectives in the cooperation with the United States, including closer coordination on Russia and China. “The European Union and the United States represent common values and they must be the leaders in setting global standards. Just as there remains a need for EU-US dialogue on China, we must also coordinate our positions on Russia. Ensuring security and stability also requires an increased focus on supporting Eastern Partners,” the foreign minister added.
“The Western Balkans are crucial for the security and stability of Europe,” Foreign Minister Liimets said. “We should make common efforts to provide these countries with a clearer European perspective and allow Albania and North Macedonia to start accession negotiations. The cooperation of European Union to enhance its partnership with the Western Balkans is particularly important in light of the worrying trends in the region as a result of disinformation and increased influence activities.”
Other topics included a common approach to Russia’s alarming behaviour towards the European Union and the deteriorating situation in Belarus. “While we are interested in a neighbourly dialogue with Russia, it is difficult to find any indication that this is reciprocated by Russia. There are no positive developments in Belarus; we must be ready to send a clear signal to put joint pressure on the regime there and support the civil society,” the foreign minister said.
As part of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, an informal video conference was held with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry.
Additional information:
Aari Lemmik
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
+372 5060 224
[email protected]
