Prime Minister Ratas presented his Slovakian counterpart the priorities of the Estonian Presidency

Bratislava, 22 May 2017 - Prime Minister Jüri Ratas met with his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico in Bratislava today, to present the priorities of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and to hear Slovakia’s views on issues of importance to the EU. The leaders also discussed bilateral relations between Estonia and Slovakia, and the future of the EU.


According to the Prime Minister, Estonia has strong bilateral relations with Slovakia, in the field of digital technology in particular. “I am pleased that Slovakia has been a constructive partner in promoting digital technology, something that is very close to our heart,” said Ratas.


“Slovakia handed over the rotating Presidency to Malta only six months before the beginning of the Estonian Presidency. The main challenges, both globally and those concerning the European continent, are the same,” said Prime Minister Ratas, adding that Slovakia’s recent experience as the Presidency is very valuable to Estonia.


Ratas said, commenting on the future of Europe, that the Bratislava summit during the Slovakian Presidency was the start of the road towards restoring the confidence of citizens in the European Union and its core values because it was the road map approved in Bratislava that focused on the citizens’ major concerns – security, growth, and migration. “Following the Bratislava summit, the EU leaders signed the Rome Declaration, demonstrating the Union’s strengths and will to cooperate.”


“The main priority of Estonia as the EU presidency is to ensure that Europe continues to stand united and determined,” stressed Prime Minister Ratas.


“Unity and balance are reflected in the messages of the Estonian Presidency. What Europe needs most at this time is unity in words and actions, values and ideas. We need to strike a balance between openness and privacy, new and well-established solutions, individual and common interests, and create a peaceful and free future for Europe and all Europeans. The Estonian Presidency could break the pessimism of citizens and show that Europe is open, democratic, forward-looking, and united.”


The head of government of the incoming EU Presidency typically visits a number of Member States to present and promote the priorities and programme of their country’s Presidency and to discuss opportunities for closer cooperation. On this visit, Prime Minister Ratas will visit Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Romania.


Photos (Ave Tampere): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/67wxp21dss2ee2y/AAAT6fqIq9qT2Q-1q0xFKeDpa?dl=0