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Estonian viewpoints and challenges in EU

Estonian viewpoints and challenges in EU. Raul Toomas 2008. Major Themes (1). Estonian Foreign Policy Basic Conception s Periods of post-1991 Estonian foreign policy, incl. EU integration objectives and attitudes. Major Themes (2). Key conceptions of Estonian EU Policy

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Estonian viewpoints and challenges in EU

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  1. Estonian viewpoints and challenges in EU Raul Toomas 2008

  2. Major Themes (1) • Estonian Foreign Policy Basic Conceptions • Periods of post-1991 Estonian foreign policy, incl. EU integration objectives and attitudes

  3. Major Themes (2) • Key conceptions of Estonian EU Policy • Estonian priorities in the framework of CFSP • Estonian attitudes towards major EU topics: EU Enlargement; Future of EU and Relations with Russia

  4. Estonian Foreign Policy basicconception • For Estonia the foreign policy has always been foremost security policy • foreign policy is something that has to secure national independence and increase international prestige • Security= integration + positive engagement (during 1990s.)

  5. Periods of post-1991 Estonian foreign policy • I period (1991-1994) - main aim was to strengthen regained independence • II period (1994-2004)- Estonian EU and NATO accession processes • III period (2004 - …) - search for new ‘Big Goals’ for foreign policy

  6. Key conceptions of EstonianEU Policy • A Stronger European Union • Competitive economy • Towards full integration • An open Union

  7. Estonian priorities inCFSP • EU–US Relations – Transatlantic link • ESDP – peace-keeping missions and EU-NATO partnership • Western Balkans • European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) and EU-Russian Relations

  8. EU–US Relations • Strong transatlantic link is vital for EE security • EU-US relations encompass basically all CFSP issues • Primary role for European Security rests upon EU-NATO close cooperation • EU and US must accompany each otherin the world

  9. ESDP • For EE it is important to ensure peace and security PRIMARY in Europe and its neighborhood • ESDP and NATO must cooperate and SUPPLEMENT each other butNOT COMPETE • Convergence of hard and soft security measures • Involvement on peace-keeping missions – EE as net-security provider

  10. Western Balkans • Important priority for EU • Clear EU Perspective – EE considers SAP quiteeffective tool • EE involvement in peace-keeping missions (military and police) starting 1995 up to present day (Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia) • Experiences in providing development assistance/cooperation – “recent transitionexperiences”

  11. ENP and EU-Russian Relations • Priorities for EE: Relations with Russia and ENP target states: Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia • ENP most important mechanism to influence development in EU Neighborhood for EU and even EE bilaterally • EE development cooperation priorities: Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia + Afghanistan • For EE it is important that EU will have unity regarding strenghtening theENP • EE strongly support common EU policy towards Russia

  12. EU Enlargement • EE supports further enlargement of the EU (support for Croatia, Turkey) • Important principle – support and conditionality must run parallel • Long-term stability in the Western Balkans and support to EU perspective of WB countries • EE is careful of drawing borders

  13. Futureof EU • The Lisbon treaty marks a new phase in the Union and gives new possibilities to respond to the challenges of the 21st century. • EU as an ever more efficient, coherent and visible global player. The treaty gives the Union a single voice in external relations. • The overall aim is a more strategic approach to external action. • Estonian government has given the treaty proposal to the Parliament in and the Parliament is expected to ratify it during this spring.

  14. Relations with Russia • Strategic partnership between EU and Russia • Estonia supports the conclusion of a new framework agreement • Estonia values transparent cooperation in “4 common spaces” incl. the energy sector.

  15. Southern Caucasus • Important region for EE: - Area of Frozen Conflicts - regarding energy resources (Black Sea Synergy) - crossing point for ENP and EU policy initiatives for Third countries - attention must be directed to social-economic reforms, promotion of democracy, regional security, overall welfare of citizens - Priority for EE in this region is Georgia

  16. To Sum Up • EE would like to see: • Stronger EU internally and externally • Effective EU/ESDP – NATO coordination (partnership) • Stable and democratic areas near EU borders (positive engagement, support for enlargement and strong ENP) • Active participation in overall CFSP and ESDPinitiatives

  17. Thank you for your attention

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