The keywords of Prime Minister’s presentation on the European Union were unity and solidarity

Tallinn, Stenbock House, 9 December 2008 – Today, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said at the Riigikogu that the membership of Estonia in the European Union is not just the exploitation of historical opportunities or a step taken merely to increase gains but a natural development of the choices made 90 years ago at the creation of the Republic of Estonia.

“The values on which the Republic of Estonia was established are the values that form the basis for our joint work in Europe,” Ansip stressed in the presentation on the policy of the European Union held in the Parliament.

According to the Prime Minister, Estonia wishes that such values in particular as the free will of citizens, respect towards agreed rules and overcoming dissenting opinions by negotiations were the basis for international communication as well.

“The European Union is based on cooperation," said Ansip. “Every participant has a vote, but voting rarely takes place. The will to solve disputes by consensus is what makes our union unique and ensures its success.”

Andrus Ansip was sure that just like every other Member State, Estonia has also strengthened the European Union.

“Estonia has definitely given strength to those who have promoted the liberal organisation of the market, and brought closer attention to the East Partnership in the Neighbourhood Policy of the Union,” he said.

The Prime Minister also referred to introducing e-solutions at the European Union level: “Only last week did we introduce a solution at the European Union Council together with Portugal, which helps the residents of Estonia and Portugal to establish a company in each other’s country without leaving their homeland.”

At the same time, the Estonian economy has greatly benefited from the openness and freedoms of the European Union, Ansip stated.

“60% of the export of the Estonian processing industry is produced by the companies of other countries operating in Estonia,” said Ansip. “It is a significant proportion of one of the most important sectors of economy for Estonia, offering jobs to thousands of highly qualified employees. These companies would not be in Estonia if we were not in the European Union.”

As the Prime Minister said, the European Union is facing two major tasks in the coming years – to lead the economy to a new growth and establish a common energy market. In order to achieve these goals, Ansip says the freedoms of the domestic market must be expanded, including proceeding with the agricultural reform, making the joint budget more supportive of competition, liberalising world economy, reaching an agreement at the climate negotiations and establishing rules and opportunities for the establishment of a common energy market.

Ansip also said that the international financial crisis has vividly proved the need for a common monetary policy in Europe, which is why the expansion of the monetary union in the European Union must continue.

“The adoption of the euro in Estonia is priority number one for the government in the coming years,” the Prime Minister stressed.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip thanked France, the current European Union Presidency, for a great job and wished luck to the Czech Republic, which will be in the role of the Presidency next year.

Read the full presentation of the Prime Minister here http://www.valitsus.ee/redirect/1323