Reinsalu: the European Union must give stronger support to the European ambitions of Eastern Partnership countries

Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu had a video meeting with the foreign ministers of the European Union and Eastern Partnership countries yesterday, exchanging ideas on the future of the Eastern Partnership and discussing the impact of COVID-19 in Eastern Partnership countries.

At the meeting, Reinsalu said that Eastern Partnership countries have made clear progress in meeting their objectives, which advances their cooperation with the European Union. “The Eastern Partnership is a priority area of Estonia’s foreign policy, and it supports the increase of security, stability and prosperity in Europe's neighbourhood. The European Union must continue supporting the ambitions of Eastern Partners.”

“Maintaining the political ambition of the Eastern Partnership is important because this way, we are also supporting the political association and economic integration of these countries with the European Union,” Reinsalu said. He emphasised that in the context of future discussions, Estonia supported an approach that is as individual as possible so that more cooperation possibilities could be offered to countries that have been more successful in reform efforts. “We welcome extending cooperation in areas such as digital affairs, trade, the environment, and youth and education. At the same time, we consider it important to include all partners through areas that interest them the most,” Reinsalu said.

Minister Reinsalu noted that the crisis had highlighted the vulnerability of Eastern Partnership countries, which is why the strategic communication capabilities of partner countries must be reinforced and the development of digital solutions for fighting the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic must be supported.

At the meeting, Estonia proposed the creation of a common digital platform of the European Union that would help match innovative solutions to the needs of partner countries.

Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmNLdPWx

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
[email protected]