Remarks by Estonian Foreign Minister Mr Urmas Paet: European Neighbourhood Policy - towards a Europe of common values
At the conference "The Baltic States and the European Neighbourhood Policy" Riga, 23 November 2007
Mrs President,
Dear colleagues,
Distinguished guests,
I am often asked: "What has been the driving force of Estonia’s success in recent history?" This question is not an easy one to answer, since the last 20 years have been full of vitally important events. In fact, all of us have witnessed significant historic developments.
However, if I have to specify what the main ingredients of our success recipe are, I would simply say – the core values of democracy. Individual rights and liberties, the right of all people to self-determination, the rule of law, respect for human rights, open discussions – these are values, which have become truly universal. We no longer analyse whether a nation is fit for democracy. Rather, we already know that countries become fit through democracy, if they choose to do so.
Since the enlargement of 2004, relations with neighbours have become one of the EU’s main foreign policy priorities. How fast and how far the relationship with any individual ENP partner develops, depends on the extent to which these values are shared.
For Estonia, the individual approach is a key principle. The ENP countries making more rapid progress should be offered an advanced level of cooperation – the possibility of expanding the four freedoms, deeper economic integration, and visa facilitation. We support the setting up of the neighbourhood investment facility as part of the ENP, and we wish to participate in the facility’s trust fund.
But, we also salute the regional cooperation which is gradually taking root in the neighbourhood. We value the Black Sea Synergy initiative, and the fact that the forthcoming forum will take place in Kiev next February. We support the idea of developing the Eastern dimension, as there are several topics and questions, which could be discussed most effectively in the format involving the Union and the Eastern Partners.
A significant part of the ENP consists of issues concerning energy, and in this sphere we must increase cooperation considerably. The proposals for concluding a regional EU-ENP energy agreement deserve close consideration. The expanding of the European Energy Community across South-Eastern Europe, towards Ukraine and Moldova, would also be a major contribution for all concerned.
The European Union should also find ways to increase its participation in the resolving of the protracted conflicts in the neighbourhood. Of course, the ENP is not the only tool for solving all problems in the area. But this policy is capable of significantly reshaping the social and political landscape – through the promotion of democracy, as well as the development of civil society.
Dear partners, our relations are developing, and rightly so, towards more stability and integration. And since we are already starting to conclude the first round of action programmes, it is time to ask ourselves – what next? After all, it is clear that we cannot extend innovative action plans, no matter how useful they are at the moment, endlessly.
Estonia is an advocate for the further enlargement of a European Union based on common values. Having widely recognised the European perspective of those neighbours who have declared that their main national and foreign policy goal is integration with the European Union, it is the responsibility of the EU countries to outline a concrete framework for this perspective.
We are here to promote relations based on lasting and democratic principles. And for this ongoing endeavour, we need frank discussions, concerning both the further prospects of the ENP, as well as the EU’s enlargement.
It is a pleasure to be here today and I am looking forward to a lively debate.
Thank you.
Mrs President,
Dear colleagues,
Distinguished guests,
I am often asked: "What has been the driving force of Estonia’s success in recent history?" This question is not an easy one to answer, since the last 20 years have been full of vitally important events. In fact, all of us have witnessed significant historic developments.
However, if I have to specify what the main ingredients of our success recipe are, I would simply say – the core values of democracy. Individual rights and liberties, the right of all people to self-determination, the rule of law, respect for human rights, open discussions – these are values, which have become truly universal. We no longer analyse whether a nation is fit for democracy. Rather, we already know that countries become fit through democracy, if they choose to do so.
Since the enlargement of 2004, relations with neighbours have become one of the EU’s main foreign policy priorities. How fast and how far the relationship with any individual ENP partner develops, depends on the extent to which these values are shared.
For Estonia, the individual approach is a key principle. The ENP countries making more rapid progress should be offered an advanced level of cooperation – the possibility of expanding the four freedoms, deeper economic integration, and visa facilitation. We support the setting up of the neighbourhood investment facility as part of the ENP, and we wish to participate in the facility’s trust fund.
But, we also salute the regional cooperation which is gradually taking root in the neighbourhood. We value the Black Sea Synergy initiative, and the fact that the forthcoming forum will take place in Kiev next February. We support the idea of developing the Eastern dimension, as there are several topics and questions, which could be discussed most effectively in the format involving the Union and the Eastern Partners.
A significant part of the ENP consists of issues concerning energy, and in this sphere we must increase cooperation considerably. The proposals for concluding a regional EU-ENP energy agreement deserve close consideration. The expanding of the European Energy Community across South-Eastern Europe, towards Ukraine and Moldova, would also be a major contribution for all concerned.
The European Union should also find ways to increase its participation in the resolving of the protracted conflicts in the neighbourhood. Of course, the ENP is not the only tool for solving all problems in the area. But this policy is capable of significantly reshaping the social and political landscape – through the promotion of democracy, as well as the development of civil society.
Dear partners, our relations are developing, and rightly so, towards more stability and integration. And since we are already starting to conclude the first round of action programmes, it is time to ask ourselves – what next? After all, it is clear that we cannot extend innovative action plans, no matter how useful they are at the moment, endlessly.
Estonia is an advocate for the further enlargement of a European Union based on common values. Having widely recognised the European perspective of those neighbours who have declared that their main national and foreign policy goal is integration with the European Union, it is the responsibility of the EU countries to outline a concrete framework for this perspective.
We are here to promote relations based on lasting and democratic principles. And for this ongoing endeavour, we need frank discussions, concerning both the further prospects of the ENP, as well as the EU’s enlargement.
It is a pleasure to be here today and I am looking forward to a lively debate.
Thank you.
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