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Estonian Head of State met with President of the European Parliament
06.11.2009
“It is an historical week, as Europe finally approved the Lisbon Convention, paving the way towards making the European Union considerably stronger and more rational,” said President Toomas Hendrik Ilves at his meeting with the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Jerzy Buzek. “We are looking forward to the enforcement of the agreement on 1st December.”
The Estonian Head of State and the President of the European Parliament discussed the necessary steps to be taken after the Lisbon Convention enters into force, one of these being fulfilling the post of the President of the European Union.
“I hope to see a person who will not divide Europe into large and small, new and old countries, but rather will see the member states of the European Union as equals, and a president who is capable of identifying and understanding the concerns of all,” said the Estonian Head of State.
The presidents, Mr. Ilves and Mr. Buzek, emphasised the importance of strengthening the geographical balance of the union when assigning important positions in the European Union – this would help to unite Europe and is, therefore, important for both Europe and its citizens.
Mr. Jerzy Buzek introduced the Estonian Head of State to the schedule for appointing the new European Commission; hopefully, the procedure will be completed just before Christmas.
When speaking about of the European Union foreign service, President Ilves emphasised the need to establish the service by adopting methods, which would make the voice of the European Union stronger, more audible and uniform. “If we act successfully, this would really mean a common foreign and security policy as well as a common energy policy for the European Union,” Mr. Ilves added.
Presidents Ilves and Buzek discussed the eastern partnership of the European Union, aimed at encouraging and promoting the neighbouring countries of the union to introduce both political and economic reforms.
The President of the European Parliament congratulated the Estonian Head of State for the approval of the Baltic Sea Strategy by the European Commission, recalling that to date, this is the only strategy, initiated by the European Parliament, which has become official policy of the union and which was, among others, initiated by Mr. Toomas Hendrik Ilves during his office as a member of the European Parliament.
Photos of the meeting: http://www.photo-service.europarl.europa.eu
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