Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu today attended the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg to discuss the effectiveness and strategic direction of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
Commenting on making the CFSP more effective, Reinsalu stressed that the European Union must improve its cooperation, implement the decisions that have been taken, respond quickly to crises, and keep the promises that it has made – this is what ensures the authority of the EU. According to Reinsalu, Estonia advocates the continuation of a consensus-based foreign and security policy, not a switch to a decision-making process based on a qualified majority. “Attempts to meet strategic goals should not lead to the partial decline of the principle of consensus, because it would also entail a decline in unity,” he said.
On the subject of the EU Global Strategy, launched three years ago, Reinsalu noted that it has led to increased cooperation between the European Union and NATO in recent years. Estonia’s position is that it should definitely continue.
The Foreign Minister stressed that the security of Europe would gain from an even closer Euro-Atlantic cooperation. “USA’s commitment to the security of Europe is decisive. It is also one of the most important partners for the European Union, especially when it comes to the peaceful development of our neighbourhood. The contribution of the USA to the peaceful development of the Western Balkans is remarkable, and they have been among the most vocal supporters of Ukraine alongside the EU. The measures imposed on Russia after its aggression are a good example of how this cooperation works,” he said.
The ministers of the EU also discussed the situation in Sudan and Moldova, recent developments in Venezuela and issues related to Iran. The ministers also met with the Foreign Minister of Jordan on the sidelines of the council meeting to discuss the regional development of the Middle East. At the discussion on the EU Global Strategy, Estonia was also represented by Defence Minister Jüri Luik.
Additional information:
Britta Tarvis
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
[email protected]
+372 637 7627 / +372 5194 7045