Undersecretary Märt Volmer and Austrian minister discussed EU budget, climate and cooperation issues

On Friday 7 February, the Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary for European Affairs Märt Volmer met with the Austrian Minister for Europe Karoline Edtstadler to discuss the multiannual financial framework of the European Union and cooperation ahead of the Three Seas Initiative summit.

“Estonia and Austria are like-minded on several issues and it is good to agree on supporting each other. We were looking for compromises on issues where we have differences, and sought ways to arrive at mutually beneficial solutions. Our relations have evolved with several high-level visits in recent years, and we also hope for a closer cooperation in the European Union,” Volmer said.

They discussed current issues of mutual interest, such as the multiannual financial framework of the EU, enlargement and the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Undersecretary Volmer explained Estonia’s priorities in the financial framework, where the positions of net beneficiary Estonia and net contributor Austria diverge.

Both Estonia and Austria affirmed support for launching EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania.

Austria is also invited to the Three Seas Initiative summit, held in June in Tallinn.

Photos of the meeting: https://bit.ly/2OCBPb3

Additional information:

Fred Püss
Media Adviser
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Communication Department
+372 6 377 618, +372 55 562 488