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President Ilves met with the Czech Prime Minister

06.05.2008

Today in Kadriorg, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek, with whom issues related to the European Union and energy security were primarily discussed.

According to the Estonian Head of State, the bilateral relations between Estonia and the Czech Republic have historically been very good. “There are no problems, only common interests. This is due, in great part, to the similarities of our foreign policy priorities regarding the enlargement processes of the European Union and NATO,” President Ilves noted.

In January 2009, the Czech Republic will take over the European Union Presidency from France. “Your Presidency will coincide with a time of significant changes – the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty, European Parliament elections, the development of a uniform foreign service for the European Union,” President Ilves said to the Czech Prime Minister. “I am sure that the Czech Republic will manage these processes successfully and hope that we will succeed in effectively cooperating in many fields of activity,” the Head of State added.

At the meeting, the issue of energy security becoming increasingly topical was dwelt on at length. Both President Ilves and Prime Minister Topolánek recognized the need for common energy-related positions in the European Union and they also felt that Estonia and the Czech Republic should have more frequent dialogues on energy issues.

Speaking about the investigation of crimes by Communist regimes, President Ilves expressed support for the Czech plan to make the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain one of the most important topics of its six-month Presidency.

At today’s meeting, the Estonian Head of State and Czech Prime Minister also dealt with developments in Georgia and Ukraine, as well as accession to the United States visa waiver program.

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