Estonia took over the Presidency of Council of the EU from Malta on 1 July 2017. Due to Brexit, UK’s Presidency was cancelled. Estonia, the next Member State, will therefore chair the Presidency by 31 December 2017.

THE NEXT TRIO: ESTONIA, BULGARIA AND AUSTRIA

One of the smallest countries among EU Member States in terms of population, 1.3 million, Estonia took over the presidency from Malta. As a Member State of the EU since 2004, 17th Member of Eurozone since 1 January 2011 and Member of Schengen Area, Estonia took over the rotating six-month presidency for the first time.

The fact is that Brexit, elections in several Member States in 2017, the rise of populism in the EU and other global concerns will keep the Estonian Presidency’s agenda busy during the six-month period. Expectations from Estonia are therefore high. The three subsequent holders of the Presidency of the Council of the EU will also draw new Trio program in which Estonia belongs to a joint presidency with Bulgaria and Austria.

PRIORITIES OF THE ESTONIAN PRESIDENCY

Priorities of the Estonian Presidency are prepared in the context of working plan of 2015-2019 that is announced as the country’s “EU policy”. The main four priorities of the Estonian Presidency are as flows:

- An open and innovative European economy

- A safe and secure Europe

- A digital Europe and the free movement of data

- An inclusive and sustainable Europe

The motto of the Estonian Presidency is “Unity through balance”. In this context, the main message of the Estonian Presidency is to bring Member States together and to protect common values in the Union in order to tackle global concerns. To protect common values, Estonian Presidency will focus on a more open and innovative economy and society as well as more secure Europe. In addition, Estonia will give a special focus to a working plan for a better cooperation on defence and security policy, digital single market, energy union, circular economy and the like. 

An open and innovative European economy

Another top priority of the presidency is to develop a business environment that supports knowledge-based growth and competitiveness. To this end, Estonia will aims to protect four freedoms. Furthermore, the presidency will focus on advancing trade negotiations, increasing the potential capacity of starting a business in the EU, providing services, ensuring a stable banking sector, establishing a stable and well-functioning electricity market for consumers and companies, empowering consumers in the scope of Energy Union and preventing tax evasion.

A safe and secure Europe

To ensure a safe and secure Europe, the presidency aims to keep 500 million citizens safe and promote peace, prosperity and stability in the EU. To this end, the presidency will work on strengthening the cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organised crime, strengthening the internal security by using cutting-edge information systems and protecting the EU’s external borders effectively. Other priorities are to continue to tackle the migration crisis, to reform the Common European Asylum System, to strengthen relations with Eastern partnership countries and to increase the defence expenditure in the context of developing the EU-NATO partnership.

A digital Europe and the free movement of data

By developing cross-border e-commerce and e-services, ensuring modern and secure electronic communications available everywhere and facilitating cross-border digital public services, the presidency will focus on the technological change that consumers, producers and businesses benefit from.

An inclusive and sustainable Europe

Finally, the presidency aims at supporting equal opportunities for high-quality education, employment, access to services and development of skills. Specifically, the presidency will work on modernising rules to promote labour mobility and free movement of persons, ensuring equal opportunities in the labour market and social inclusion and securing a more sustainable environment in the context of the implementation of Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. 

ESTONIAN PRESIDENCY AND TURKEY

Since the launch of the accession of Turkey to the EU, Estonia supports Turkey’s membership to the EU. During the high level bilateral meetings held in 2017 and previous years, leaders from both sides underlined that political and economic relations needs to be strengthened in general.

Estonia also underlines that it is important to support Eastern Partnership and enlargement policy during its presidency. In this respect, Turkey’s accession talks with the EU should be moved forward with the aim of opening new chapters, modernisation of Customs Union, Cyprus issue, visa liberalisation, refugee deal and other concerns in relations. It is critical that during the Estonian Presidency, both sides should continue to express their willingness to work together.

For more details about the Estonian Presidency, please click here.