Discussion of Eurointegration matters in the Riigikogu
Presentation of the Foreign Minister Toomas Hendrik Ilves
Mr. Chairman
Mr. Prime Minister
Honoured Members of the Riigikogu
It is a pleasure for me to note that debates on European integration in this hall have become something just as natural as the discussions of foreign policy regulated by law. This confirms once more the fact that the Parliament and the Government are working successfully together to reach their common goal. Our co-operation with the Committee of European Affairs has also run smoothly. I believe that last year’s debate in this hall was in fact really useful. The report I delivered here a year ago was far less confident than the present one. There was a real risk that Estonia could slide downwards on the “prize-list”.
And in that case accession could have moved away into as distant a future as 2007 at best. Good co-operation between different state institutions resulted, however, in success at the accession negotiations and ensured Estonia a position among the front runners. Honoured Members of the Riigikogu, allow me to express my gratitude for the work you have performed.
I also believe that the whole of Europe is more optimistic today. Now, after the Nice summit, the prospect of enlargement has become realistic to such a degree that it is time for us to begin to plan our activities as a future member state. Already today we have been asked to give our opinion on a variety of key issues of European future.
The year 2001, which can in many respects prove decisive, began with the Swedish Presidency. For Sweden, just like for Finland, whose presidency came to an end a year ago, enlargement is a matter of highest priority. Both of these two states have voluntarily assumed the strenuous task of an icebreaker. Hopefully, the Gothenburg summit will adopt just as radical decisions on enlargement as that of Helsinki.
In my exposé of Estonian foreign policy, on October 12, I spoke about the new and more favourable regime for trade of agricultural products between Estonia and the EU, which took effect on July 1st. This was an extremely important step in the relations between Estonia and the European Union, which increased the possibilities for export of Estonian products and at the same time enhanced their competitiveness on the domestic market. During the second half of the past year efforts were continued to achieve a more favourable regime for trade in processed agricultural and fishery products. Hopefully the new regulations will be implemented by July 1st at the latest. In this connection it is important to point out that it would have been impossible for us to achieve such favourable terms for reaching the EU’s inner market if we were not involved in the process of accession negotiations.
1
In the Progress Report made public by the European Commission on November 8, 2000 the work performed by Estonia during the past year received a positive assessment. As for political criteria, our work in the field of integration of minorities and bringing the Language Law into compliance with international standards were noted.
Our economic development received a remarkably good assessment – together with Poland and Hungary Estonia is considered as one of the candidates with a functioning market economy which can be expected to be competitive in the EU in the very near future. Thus we belong to the front runners among the post-communist countries in this respect. The report highlighted the high level of foreign investments in Estonia and the EU’s great share in Estonia’s foreign trade.
A month ago, at the summit of Nice, decisions, which will have a great impact on enlargement, were made. The agreements on institutional reform reached by the member states, which actually deserve to be called historic, make it possible for the Union to be prepared for enlargement by the end of 2002. For the most successful candidate countries the prospect of accession in 2003 has thus become much more realistic. The approval of the enlargement strategy of the European Commission in Nice created good premises for a speedy and successful conclusion of the accession negotiations.
In Nice the European Council adopted the Charter of Fundamental Rights as a political declaration. It is a significant document which enhances democracy and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the EU countries. Democracy and human rights are the basic values, which unite both present and future member states.
According to the resolutions adopted in Nice, Sweden is obliged to prepare during its presidency discussions of four topics pertaining to the future of the European Union:
the division of competencies between the Union and the member states;
the status of the Charter of Fundamental Rights;
the role of national parliaments in the European Union;
the possibilities of simplifying the treaty of the European Union.
These topics also have bearing on the future member states. We must begin to evolve our standpoints in these essential issues without delay in order to be able to participate in the discussions.
2
Our expectations connected with the Swedish presidency are in the first place related to accession negotiations. It should be noted that Sweden has placed enlargement highest on its list of priorities. We, on our part, will try to do our best in order to make crucial progress in the negotiation process during the first half of 2001. We are prepared for substantial discussions in such essential chapters as environment and free movement of persons and to conclude negotiations in most questions during the Belgian presidency, i.e. in the second half of 2001.
The end of negotiations has been given a concrete framework. The conclusions of the progress report state that negotiations with the most successful candidate countries can be concluded in June 2002 at the latest which indicates clearly that the Commission presupposes that the candidates will be differentiated. Those who have had to start at a later date must have a chance to catch up with others and those who have done a better homework must have a chance to move on faster.
Such a schedule would make it possible to sign the first accession agreements at the summit which will take place in the summer of 2002. This is the only way to ensure the accession of the first new member states in 2004 at the latest. At the same time I would like to underscore, that the governing coalition stands firmly by its standpoint: Estonia must be ready for accession in the year 2003. Let us not forget that in 2002 important decisions will hopefully also be made about the other main direction of our foreign policy, i.e. a NATO summit will be held the same year. Although our NATO-preparations do not belong to the topics of my report, I would like to draw your attention to the obvious fact that our success in the negotiations process and our EU-maturity will no doubt be regarded as a strong argument when our preparedness for NATO will be scrutinised at the summit of the alliance.
3
Accession negotiations have now reached a crucial phase in which all failures become especially conspicuous. There are decisions to be made, which cannot be delayed any more. There are however problems with a number of chapters. Thus in the chapter of the free movement of capital we have not managed to harmonise the issue of cross-border credit transfers. In the consumer and health care chapter the acquis of consumer protection has not been harmonised and in the chapter of the free movement of services the legal basis for the regulation of relations between commercial agents and their principals have been neglected.
The European Union has taken the stand that agreements are possible only in case Estonia fulfils its obligations regarding domestic homework and achieves the goals set out in the government’s annual action plan. This is the real gauge for our progress. I have, however, to note that there are sectors in which our homework is unsatisfactory.
The delay of the fishery reform jeopardises our upcoming negotiations about fishing quota, the delay of customs and tariff acts precludes progress in the chapter of Tariff and Customs union. In this connection I would like to mention the fact that the parliaments of Poland, Hungary, Slovenia and the Czech Republic have all reached a political agreement about adopting laws which ensue from accession procedures, according to special speedy procedures - in most cases after a first reading, if they do not require longer internal affairs discussions. Honoured Members of the Riigikogu, I do not call on you to hurry at all costs, but I would, however, like to call on the Riigikogu to work in such a manner that legislation will not become an obstacle to our accession to the European Union.
The amendments we are making to our legislation in order to become full members of the European Union serve our own interests. They concern all of us – be it a sufficient reserve of liquid fuel or hygienic norms for school canteens. Decisions, which are made in connection with our accession to the European Union, must not be made behind the people’s back. Therefore a dialogue with the public should be regarded as a task of utmost importance. In this respect, you, honoured Members of the Riigikogu, have good opportunities to make a great contribution.
As regards bringing the European Union closer to the citizen, the insufficient engagement of the third sector in the accession process has been quite a problem. The third sector has not yet become a mediator between state and people – as it ought to be. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has tried to change the situation. On January 10 2001 the foreign minister’s consultative council had its already sixth meeting. This is an advisory body summoned on my initiative and upon instructions from the governing coalition, comprising experts on the issues of the European Union, researchers, representatives of professional associations and general public. The council assists us in shaping our positions for negotiations, analyses and discusses the possible effects of Estonia’s accession to the European Union. Furthermore, one of its tasks is to explain the effects of accession to people at large.
In conclusion, dear Members of the Riigikogu, allow me to remind you of the following.
We have set us the goal to be ready to join the European Union on January 1, 2003. Consequently, we must soon finish our preparations for the run-up. This means that Estonia must retain its good standard of preparedness and its high speed of progress, which has been acknowledged also by the European Union. More than that, before the very end we must be capable of an extra effort, if necessary. But at present our main task is to retain the credibility we have managed to create during the accession negotiations. Thanks to our joint efforts we have been able to keep our promises. This is our goal aim also this year.
Thank you.
Mr. Chairman
Mr. Prime Minister
Honoured Members of the Riigikogu
It is a pleasure for me to note that debates on European integration in this hall have become something just as natural as the discussions of foreign policy regulated by law. This confirms once more the fact that the Parliament and the Government are working successfully together to reach their common goal. Our co-operation with the Committee of European Affairs has also run smoothly. I believe that last year’s debate in this hall was in fact really useful. The report I delivered here a year ago was far less confident than the present one. There was a real risk that Estonia could slide downwards on the “prize-list”.
And in that case accession could have moved away into as distant a future as 2007 at best. Good co-operation between different state institutions resulted, however, in success at the accession negotiations and ensured Estonia a position among the front runners. Honoured Members of the Riigikogu, allow me to express my gratitude for the work you have performed.
I also believe that the whole of Europe is more optimistic today. Now, after the Nice summit, the prospect of enlargement has become realistic to such a degree that it is time for us to begin to plan our activities as a future member state. Already today we have been asked to give our opinion on a variety of key issues of European future.
The year 2001, which can in many respects prove decisive, began with the Swedish Presidency. For Sweden, just like for Finland, whose presidency came to an end a year ago, enlargement is a matter of highest priority. Both of these two states have voluntarily assumed the strenuous task of an icebreaker. Hopefully, the Gothenburg summit will adopt just as radical decisions on enlargement as that of Helsinki.
In my exposé of Estonian foreign policy, on October 12, I spoke about the new and more favourable regime for trade of agricultural products between Estonia and the EU, which took effect on July 1st. This was an extremely important step in the relations between Estonia and the European Union, which increased the possibilities for export of Estonian products and at the same time enhanced their competitiveness on the domestic market. During the second half of the past year efforts were continued to achieve a more favourable regime for trade in processed agricultural and fishery products. Hopefully the new regulations will be implemented by July 1st at the latest. In this connection it is important to point out that it would have been impossible for us to achieve such favourable terms for reaching the EU’s inner market if we were not involved in the process of accession negotiations.
1
In the Progress Report made public by the European Commission on November 8, 2000 the work performed by Estonia during the past year received a positive assessment. As for political criteria, our work in the field of integration of minorities and bringing the Language Law into compliance with international standards were noted.
Our economic development received a remarkably good assessment – together with Poland and Hungary Estonia is considered as one of the candidates with a functioning market economy which can be expected to be competitive in the EU in the very near future. Thus we belong to the front runners among the post-communist countries in this respect. The report highlighted the high level of foreign investments in Estonia and the EU’s great share in Estonia’s foreign trade.
A month ago, at the summit of Nice, decisions, which will have a great impact on enlargement, were made. The agreements on institutional reform reached by the member states, which actually deserve to be called historic, make it possible for the Union to be prepared for enlargement by the end of 2002. For the most successful candidate countries the prospect of accession in 2003 has thus become much more realistic. The approval of the enlargement strategy of the European Commission in Nice created good premises for a speedy and successful conclusion of the accession negotiations.
In Nice the European Council adopted the Charter of Fundamental Rights as a political declaration. It is a significant document which enhances democracy and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the EU countries. Democracy and human rights are the basic values, which unite both present and future member states.
According to the resolutions adopted in Nice, Sweden is obliged to prepare during its presidency discussions of four topics pertaining to the future of the European Union:
the division of competencies between the Union and the member states;
the status of the Charter of Fundamental Rights;
the role of national parliaments in the European Union;
the possibilities of simplifying the treaty of the European Union.
These topics also have bearing on the future member states. We must begin to evolve our standpoints in these essential issues without delay in order to be able to participate in the discussions.
2
Our expectations connected with the Swedish presidency are in the first place related to accession negotiations. It should be noted that Sweden has placed enlargement highest on its list of priorities. We, on our part, will try to do our best in order to make crucial progress in the negotiation process during the first half of 2001. We are prepared for substantial discussions in such essential chapters as environment and free movement of persons and to conclude negotiations in most questions during the Belgian presidency, i.e. in the second half of 2001.
The end of negotiations has been given a concrete framework. The conclusions of the progress report state that negotiations with the most successful candidate countries can be concluded in June 2002 at the latest which indicates clearly that the Commission presupposes that the candidates will be differentiated. Those who have had to start at a later date must have a chance to catch up with others and those who have done a better homework must have a chance to move on faster.
Such a schedule would make it possible to sign the first accession agreements at the summit which will take place in the summer of 2002. This is the only way to ensure the accession of the first new member states in 2004 at the latest. At the same time I would like to underscore, that the governing coalition stands firmly by its standpoint: Estonia must be ready for accession in the year 2003. Let us not forget that in 2002 important decisions will hopefully also be made about the other main direction of our foreign policy, i.e. a NATO summit will be held the same year. Although our NATO-preparations do not belong to the topics of my report, I would like to draw your attention to the obvious fact that our success in the negotiations process and our EU-maturity will no doubt be regarded as a strong argument when our preparedness for NATO will be scrutinised at the summit of the alliance.
3
Accession negotiations have now reached a crucial phase in which all failures become especially conspicuous. There are decisions to be made, which cannot be delayed any more. There are however problems with a number of chapters. Thus in the chapter of the free movement of capital we have not managed to harmonise the issue of cross-border credit transfers. In the consumer and health care chapter the acquis of consumer protection has not been harmonised and in the chapter of the free movement of services the legal basis for the regulation of relations between commercial agents and their principals have been neglected.
The European Union has taken the stand that agreements are possible only in case Estonia fulfils its obligations regarding domestic homework and achieves the goals set out in the government’s annual action plan. This is the real gauge for our progress. I have, however, to note that there are sectors in which our homework is unsatisfactory.
The delay of the fishery reform jeopardises our upcoming negotiations about fishing quota, the delay of customs and tariff acts precludes progress in the chapter of Tariff and Customs union. In this connection I would like to mention the fact that the parliaments of Poland, Hungary, Slovenia and the Czech Republic have all reached a political agreement about adopting laws which ensue from accession procedures, according to special speedy procedures - in most cases after a first reading, if they do not require longer internal affairs discussions. Honoured Members of the Riigikogu, I do not call on you to hurry at all costs, but I would, however, like to call on the Riigikogu to work in such a manner that legislation will not become an obstacle to our accession to the European Union.
The amendments we are making to our legislation in order to become full members of the European Union serve our own interests. They concern all of us – be it a sufficient reserve of liquid fuel or hygienic norms for school canteens. Decisions, which are made in connection with our accession to the European Union, must not be made behind the people’s back. Therefore a dialogue with the public should be regarded as a task of utmost importance. In this respect, you, honoured Members of the Riigikogu, have good opportunities to make a great contribution.
As regards bringing the European Union closer to the citizen, the insufficient engagement of the third sector in the accession process has been quite a problem. The third sector has not yet become a mediator between state and people – as it ought to be. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has tried to change the situation. On January 10 2001 the foreign minister’s consultative council had its already sixth meeting. This is an advisory body summoned on my initiative and upon instructions from the governing coalition, comprising experts on the issues of the European Union, researchers, representatives of professional associations and general public. The council assists us in shaping our positions for negotiations, analyses and discusses the possible effects of Estonia’s accession to the European Union. Furthermore, one of its tasks is to explain the effects of accession to people at large.
In conclusion, dear Members of the Riigikogu, allow me to remind you of the following.
We have set us the goal to be ready to join the European Union on January 1, 2003. Consequently, we must soon finish our preparations for the run-up. This means that Estonia must retain its good standard of preparedness and its high speed of progress, which has been acknowledged also by the European Union. More than that, before the very end we must be capable of an extra effort, if necessary. But at present our main task is to retain the credibility we have managed to create during the accession negotiations. Thanks to our joint efforts we have been able to keep our promises. This is our goal aim also this year.
Thank you.
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