Prime Minister Kallas says talks focussed on how better to defend Europe and how to move ahead with the enlargement of the EU. “These debates form part of the renewal of the EU’s Strategic Agenda, which will continue in the months ahead,” she explained. “We must focus on the development of the European defence industry and invest more in our defence. Defence readiness has to be at the heart of the long-term vision of the EU. We responded very decisively in providing military support to Ukraine, but that must not remain as one-off. We need long-term agreements and action plans to reinforce the field of defence.”
Also discussed at the event were enhancing the competitiveness of the EU and fostering the internal market. “Establishing an entrepreneur-friendly space in which to operate has to be at the heart of this, and we must reduce the administrative burden by offering digital and e-state solutions,” Prime Minister Kallas said.
The heads of state and government also talked about the enlargement of the EU. “Estonia very much backs the enlargement of the EU,” Prime Minister Kallas confirmed. “I hope further discussions in regard to the issue focus on what is to be gained from enlargement, such as the overall rise in the standard of living, national reforms, a larger internal market and, in geopolitical terms, the eradication of grey zones. We are also hoping to take a positive decision in regard to Ukraine at the summit in December. As we move forward with enlargement, we must also think about how the EU within itself will adjust to the enlargement and make preparations for it.”
Further discussions at the meeting focussed on the growing migratory pressure on Europe. “We discussed solutions that would ease the pressure on our borders, such as cooperation with the countries-of-origin,” the Estonian head of government explained. “But we also have to take into consideration the instrumentalisation of migration and the shadow war being waged by Russia.”
