Estonian president says closer cooperation between members will ensure competitiveness of EU

14.04.2008

TALLINN, Apr 14, BNS - Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves in his meeting with Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern on Monday stressed the importance of cooperation between the member states of the European Union.

Estonia regards as important the raising of the competitiveness of all regions of the European Union through closer cooperation between member states and their deeper integration, Ilves, who is in Ireland on a state visit, said. Therefore Estonia intends to actively contribute on its part to the deepening of cooperation of the Baltic Sea area, he said according to spokespeople.

The Estonian presidant and the prime minister of Ireland focused during their meeting on the Lisbon Treaty, matters related to the EU's global competitiveness, neighborhood relations, climate change and energy security.

Speaking of the Lisbon Treaty, Ilves said that a smooth ratification process of the treaty is in the interest of all member states.

In this the biggest challenge lies in finding a balance between the leading offices of the EU -- those of the chairman of the European Council, the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, and the Commission president, he said.

"It has to taken into consideration that the first division of roles will set a precedent for the future," Ilves said.

The president added that just like for other small countries it is important for Estonia that a geographic and demographic balance is found and the roles of different institutions are not duplicated.

As regards boosting the EU's competitiveness, the Estonian president and the prime minister of Ireland said that right now there is no clear understanding of how one will go on after 2010, when the current strategy expires.

Ilves and Ahern also stopped on energy and climate change. The president stressed that the energy security of the EU is directly linked to energy and climate policy.

"Import of electricity from third countries is one of the main threats for the EU's internal market and security," the Estonian head of state said.

The global talks on climate stand in a close relation with this, he said, explaining that in a situation where EU energy producers will have to buy their entire carbon dioxide quota in auctions and no such requirement applies to producers situated in third countries the output of the latter will clearly be more competitive.

The meeting and lunch with Ahern was followed by meetings with the chairman of the Senate Pat Moylan and parliamentary vice speaker Brendan Howlin.

In the evening Irish President Mary McAleese will give a formal dinner in honor of the Estonian presidential couple.

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8861, sise@bns.ee