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President Ilves and Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen discussed the future of the European Union and key security issues

11.04.2008

In Kadriorg today, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

At the meeting, topics related to the European Union were discussed at length, particularly the ratification and implementation of the Lisbon Treaty. The first reading of the Lisbon Treaty will take place in the Riigikogu on April 9th.

“In preparing for the implementation of the treaty, the greatest challenge facing the member states is finding an institutional balance that satisfies everyone: at the end of this year, the content and distribution of the assignments for the highest positions—the President of the European Council, the Union’s highest representative for the foreign and security affairs, and the President of the Commission—will be confirmed,” President Ilves said, “For Estonia, like for other smaller countries, it is important to find a geographic and demographic balance.”

Speaking of the European Union Neighborhood Policy, both President Ilves and Prime Minister Rasmussen stated that the Neighborhood Policy is one of the most significant mechanisms, for affecting the democratic and economic development of new neighbors, the implementation of the principle characteristics of the rule of law, and the growth of people’s stability and wellbeing.

Questions related to energy security were also covered at the meeting. “One of the main risks to the domestic market and energy security of the European Union is the import of electricity produced by third countries,” stressed the Estonian Head of State. At today’s meeting, a solution to this was seen in reliable cooperation between the member states and guaranteeing independence from unstable energy suppliers.

In connection with security questions, Afghanistan was also discussed, and both parties recognized the need to implement more civil measures. The Danes have dealt with the development of education in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan; Estonia’s fields of responsibility include medicine. “I think it is very important that the Afghanistan question has been elevated to be one of the central foreign policy issues in the European Union, and this is being dealt with in depth,” President Ilves noted.

Summarizing the results of the NATO Summit in Bucharest, giving a promise of accession to Georgia and Ukraine was welcomed, “I am sure that the clear message from the alliance will encourage Georgia and Ukraine to continue the promotion of democracy and the implementation of civil society and market economy reforms,” the Estonian Head of State said.

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