Main Guidelines of Estonia's Foreign Policy
Address by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia Kristiina Ojuland to the Riigikogu on behalf of the Government of Estonia
4 November 2003
Honorable Ms. Chairman,
Respected Members of the Riigikogu,
Dear guests!
We are entering a new era in the realm of Estonia’s foreign policy. As a result of our upcoming accession to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, there will be a major change in Estonia’s position in the world of international relations. At the same time, the world around us is also changing at a quick pace, especially due to the processes taking place after September 11. This has resulted in the need to reassess our standing in the international relations arena. In today’s speech, I would like to concentrate upon the upcoming changes in our foreign and national security policy. As a small nation, our greatest achievements and wielding of influence can only be regional. Therefore, at the end of my address, I will briefly deal with the matter of the Baltic Sea area.
First of all, let us talk about the European Union. On April 16, we signed the accession treaty, which has so far been ratified by four Member States (Denmark, Germany, Portugal, and Spain) and five acceding states (Cyprus, Malta, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia). The rest are planning, depending upon the intricacies and complexities of their individual ratification processes, to ratify the accession treaty during the last months of this year, or at the beginning of 2004. In Estonia, the accession treaty has passed the first reading in parliament.
Since the signing of the accession treaty with the European Union, Estonia has taken several decisive steps to complete the accession process. The most significant one was of course the referendum, which took place on September 14, when the Estonian people gave their support to European Union accession. The referendum marked the beginning of a new stage of development. If before that, sceptics could often be heard to claim that accession to the European Union was a project launched by just the elite, politicians, and civil servants, then now it is clear that an overwhelming majority of the population approves of accession. The positive result of the referendum and the definite support expressed for the concept of accession by two thirds of the voters gives the government a clear mandate to not only complete the preparations for accession, but to also staunchly defend Estonia’s positions at the European Union’s Intergovernmental Conference.
The European Convention, which completed its work in the summer, presented the present and future Member States with the new Draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. At the Thessalonica European Council session in the summer, a consensus was achieved concerning the approval of most of the proposals presented in the Draft Treaty, and the establishment of the basis for further talks. Meanwhile, at the Rome Intergovernmental Conference, which began on October 4, serious work needs to be done to reach a consensus in connection with several institutional questions.
I regard it as essential that the Acceding States are participating in the Intergovernmental Conference as equals with the Member States. A noteworthy achievement is no doubt the fact that both the Member as well as the Acceding States have been unanimous concerning the need to make the European Union legislative process as a whole public and more comprehensible for the citizens of Europe.
At the Intergovernmental Conference there has been an active discussion concerning the 25 member European Union Presidency. Most of the states have assumed the position that the Team Presidency concept should be supported. According to this vision, the European Union’s Presidency would be assumed jointly by three to five states for a longer period than the hitherto six months. There is also a continuing discussion concerning the new offices, which are being created – the more precise defining of the roles of the elected President of the European Council and the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Estonia’s approach to the Intergovernmental Conference is based upon a vision of the future, which is spelled out in the Government’s White Book. This document was also debated at a Riigikogu session and by appropriate Committees. Estonia supports the development of the European Union as a union of states, in which the equal treatment of all Member States is assured. This has been one of the European Union’s basic principles, and must also be maintained in the future.
For us it is important that the new treaty clearly reflects the principle according to which every Member State is represented in the European Commission by a commissioner, and that the commissioners participate in the decision making process on an equal basis. For us it is also important that qualified majority decision making in the Council of Ministers be limited to cases clearly stipulated in the Constitutional Treaty. Since the changing of the voting process is a very momentous decision, it must, in our opinion, in the future also be subject to the full Treaty amendment procedure. The minimum number of Member State European Parliament seats, as stipulated in the Nice Treaty, should not be reduced. Estonia would also like to maintain the number of votes agreed upon in Nice for qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers. If the Intergovernmental Conference decides to change this system, then we would like to see a solution according to which the majority percentage of both votes and populations be the same.
On April 16 of this year, Estonia was granted observer status at the European Union. Estonia may participate in the work of the Council of the European Union at all decision-making levels, with the right to present and justify its positions. And Estonia has made active use of these opportunities. Within the framework of the consultation process, we have presented several applications so that our interests would be taken into consideration as new European Union legislation is drafted, especially when it comes to taxation policy; environmental, domestic, and judicial matters; and energy. Estonia also participates actively in the different level working groups drafting the European Union’s foreign and security policy, so that the European Union’s common foreign and security policy will also satisfy Estonia’s needs.
To ensure that the decisions arrived at will be suitable for us, we have to constantly look for Members at the Council of Ministers, and the Committee of Permanent Representatives and its working groups, who share our views. It also means that we have to constantly explain our standpoints in the European Commission, where Europe’s legislation is first drafted.
The Government is presently formulating Estonia’s general long-term priorities as a member of the European Union. The Foreign Ministry has also drawn up an appropriate analysis dealing with its particular field of expertise. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is, among other things, responsible for seeing to it that Estonia’s national interests are observed within the framework of the European Union’s common foreign and security policy, foreign trade policy, and consular and visa policy. The Foreign Ministry also plays a key role in representing the state and its citizens in the European Union’s various institutions; in dealing with the other European Union Member States; and in working out political solutions together with the European Union Secretariat, which are suitable for Estonia.
And now, a few words about the European Union’s common foreign and security policy, and Estonia’s positions concerning these matters. As far as the European Union’s foreign relations are concerned, Estonia totally shares presently presiding Italy’s, and the majority of the other member states’ conviction, that the European Union’s international role needs to be increased. I find that, in the future, Estonia must do its utmost to ensure that the European Union’s common foreign and security policy will be effective and consistent. Thanks to a common foreign and security policy, Estonia will, in the international arena, be supported by the collective opinion of 25 states, which carries much more weight than the simple sum of the opinions of individual Member States.
From the point of view of Estonia’s security and its economic development, one essential common foreign and security policy matter is the development of the European Union’s relations with Russia. The European Union, as Russia’s most important economic partner, influences Russia’s endeavours to become a democratic state. In the near future, the European Union and Russia will be discussing several important matters, such as judicial and domestic policy questions, and whether and under what conditions the European Union and Russia might, in the long perspective, mutually to abolish visa requirements. And Estonia, keeping in mind both its own interests and those of the European Union as a whole, will also be participating in these talks.
Estonia in every way greets the "Wider Europe – New Neighbours" initiative. I find that Estonia must actively develop relations with the European Union’s eastern next-door neighbours. And at the same time to participate in the putting together of development cooperation projects aimed at the Western Balkan states, and to be involved in the adequate funding of these projects. We have experience with carrying out bilateral development cooperation with several of the states in the aforementioned region, and after having acceded to the European Union, we can even better contribute to the international efforts to aid these states. For instance, helping to stabilise Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova helps to increase both regional security, and the likelihood that Estonia will be successful in its individual foreign policy endeavours. Various policies aimed at both the Caucasian states and the "New Neighbours" are still being formulated in the European Union, thus giving Estonia a chance to contribute to this effort.
Estonia is, among other things, interested in the long-term stability of the Balkans. It is essential that the reform processes be speeded up. And Estonia supports the European Union’s plans to continue integrating the Western Balkan region into the European Union.
Upon acceding with the European Union, changes will take place in the formulating of our foreign economic policy. On the basis of the European Union Treaty’s Article 133, we will become part of the European Union’s common commercial policy formulating process. Many essential foreign markets for Estonian goods will become part of our domestic market, where economic relations will be regulated by European Union legislation. Thereby, our foreign trade policy will become much more influential, and our interests will be better protected.
Estonia’s priorities in the formulating and enacting of the European Union’s immigration and visa policy is tied in with the fact that we are a border state. Estonia greets the plan to continue the endeavours being made in connection with the fight against illegal immigration, and also the attention being paid to border security and the question of asylum. In connection with the European Union’s common external border, we see the necessity for common standards, and financial solidarity in connection with enforcing them. At the same time, we find that each individual Member State should guard its own border. For Estonia, it is important that treaties concerning the readmission of illegal immigrants be signed with Russia, Byelorussia, Ukraine, and several other states.
Respected Members of the Riigikogu!
In the year 2004, there will be changes in our security policy profile. The main reasons for these changes will not only be our upcoming accession into the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, but also the processes taking place in the international security sphere generally. Therefore, it is very essential to fully comprehend our new situation, and to formulate a new national security concept.
In the course of the last two years, the situation in the world has changed noticeably. Terrorism has become one of the main challenges to international security. The terrorist attacks in Baghdad against the UN mission on August 19, and against the International Red Cross representation on October 27, which both cost many human lives, are clear examples of the fact that terrorists are prepared to use all means for achieving their aims. The terror in Iraq is ever more being directed against the Iraqi people themselves. This only confirms the fact that during this critical period Iraq is in dire need of international aid.
It would be naïve to assume that for us terrorism is a distant phenomenon. The results and long-term effects of global terrorism are noticeable upon even Estonia’s security environment. We have been dealing with the improvement of domestic coordination and exchange of information. And within the framework of our international efforts, we have endorsed all 12 UN anti-terrorism conventions, and have actively cooperated with many states and international organisations.
As a future NATO member, we have to keep in mind, that according to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, we, if the situation requires it, have to be ready to either accept assistance, or to help our allies, and share the responsibilities that NATO membership brings with it. We have to be ready to participate in NATO’s joint political decision-making process, in joint defence projects and in joint defence planning, and in the solving of all tasks confronting the Alliance.
The European Security and Defence Policy – ESDP – continues to be developed within the framework of the European Union’s common foreign and security policy. The European Union’s contribution to the fight against security risks definitely has to be increased, and Europe’s capability to carry out military and civilian operations improved. Estonia is concretely contributing, in the form of police officers and soldiers, to the first European Union crisis regulating operations. It is extremely important that we be able to ensure our continued proportional participation in these operations.
This year, the European Union took over from NATO a military operation and the responsibility of ensuring the peace in Macedonia. Since the situation there has stabilised, the military mission in Macedonia will be terminated in December, and the European Union will send a police mission there, in which Estonia should also be participating. We are well experienced in this field thanks to the police mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Estonia’s participation will continue in the future.
Estonia supports the development of the ESDP in a manner that would complement and strengthen NATO, and would be based upon NATO’s leading role as an organisation ensuring collective security. It is possible to successfully fight against terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other contemporary security risks only if the European Union and the United States cooperate. The partial overlapping of NATO’s and the European Union’s security policies should strengthen, not weaken, the cooperation and partnership of not only the two organisations, but also of Europe and the United States. Therefore, I would like to especially stress the necessity for continually strengthening the transatlantic ties.
Estonia has already demonstrated its trustworthiness as a partner in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and especially Iraq where, on June 20, 43 soldiers were sent on a six- month mission. The building up of Iraq is extremely important from the global security point of view. At the end October, at the Madrid donors’ conference, Estonia confirmed its readiness to continue participating in the building up of Iraq. We have always supported the UN’s essential role in this process, and greet Iraq Resolution 1511, which was unanimously approved by the UN Security Council on October 16. This Resolution deals with the mandate of the stabilisation forces, and creates a general framework for the transition of power back to the Iraqi people.
At the same time, the building up of Iraq must not divert attention and resources from cooperative processes taking place in Arab countries and other Middle East region states. Further development of the Middle East peace process would be a priceless contribution to intercultural dialogue, to the achieving of stability, and to economic development, not only in that region, but in the world as a whole.
Three interrelated documents are presently being drafted in Estonia: the principles of a national security policy; a strategic military defence plan; and a plan for the structure and development of the defence forces till the year 2010. The need to draft a new national security concept arose since the previous security policy principles were formulated for a phase of our Euro-Atlantic integration process, which is about to end. That stage of development will soon be behind us, and we need clear directions for our continued endeavours. We also have to take into account the new dangers, which were not as topical when the previous security concept was being drafted.
Respected Members of the Riigikogu,
Finally, I would like to briefly talk about protecting the Baltic Sea and about regional development. Estonia took over the chairmanship of the Council of Baltic Sea States from Finland in June 2003. During the year of chairmanship, we plan to continue cooperative efforts in all previous spheres of activity, of which three have special priority.
Of primary importance is the environmental protection of the Baltic Sea. Estonia is interested in concluding an agreement that would ensure the banning of single hulled tankers. This would reduce, to a minimum, the danger of pollution that has been caused by heavy tanker traffic. The agreement would also ensure that the Baltic Sea is declared to be a particularly sensitive sea area.
The second priority is economic cooperation, with one aim being the speeded up development of regional transportation and energy networks. In addition to that, we would like to improve the economic environment by developing information technology, by coordinating the activities of the various customs and border-guard agencies, and by promoting cross-border cooperation. At the Baltic Sea parliamentarians’ conference in Oulu, it was proposed that the Council of Baltic Sea States become a regional political coordinator that would unite the organisations active in the region.
As the third priority, I would bring forth the ensuring of the security of the region’s civil society. This requires coordination in the cross-border organised crime, including terrorism; the trade in weapons, narcotics, and human beings; and smuggling.
In addition to the aforementioned priorities, the Council of Baltic Sea States, as a multinational organisation, must tackle the following question – what now? How to rationalise the Council’s structure and work so that it meets the participating member states’ needs? As a result of the European Union’s enlargement, a situation will develop in the region around Estonia, in which eight Baltic Sea States are members of the European Union. I find that the Baltic Sea States’ cooperative potential should be made maximum use of in the European Union. As should be ensured the Union’s support for the development of Europe’s economically fastest growing region. Therefore, I find it significant that, in October, the European Council endorsed the Northern Dimension’s second programme for the years 2004-2006.
Honourable Ms. Chairman,
Respected Members of the Riigikogu!
The next time we will be reviewing the main guidelines of Estonia’s foreign policy, presumably, as NATO and European Union members. Estonia is facing a period rife with opportunities. Yet, membership is not a free ticket to a bright future. It, rather, brings growing responsibilities. Presumably, it means that all of the Estonian Republic’s institutions will have to coordinate themselves more than ever before, when carrying out foreign policy. Membership also means greater monetary needs, since we will have to be constantly active so as to ensure that the decisions made will be suitable for Estonia. Ever-increasing participation in working groups and committees, ever-faster decision-making mechanisms, and ever-more hosting of protocol events. And that is how it is not only in the European Union and NATO, but also in many other international organisations like the UN, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE.
The under-budgeting of the last four-five years has, unfortunately, prevented the smooth and systematic development of the Foreign Service. The Foreign Ministry has drafted a Foreign Service development plan for the years 2004-2008, which has been presented to the Cabinet. And it is essential for the continued successful diplomatic representation of Estonia, that you, the respected Members of the Riigikogu, also familiarise yourself with this development plan.
Thank you for your attention!
4 November 2003
Honorable Ms. Chairman,
Respected Members of the Riigikogu,
Dear guests!
We are entering a new era in the realm of Estonia’s foreign policy. As a result of our upcoming accession to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, there will be a major change in Estonia’s position in the world of international relations. At the same time, the world around us is also changing at a quick pace, especially due to the processes taking place after September 11. This has resulted in the need to reassess our standing in the international relations arena. In today’s speech, I would like to concentrate upon the upcoming changes in our foreign and national security policy. As a small nation, our greatest achievements and wielding of influence can only be regional. Therefore, at the end of my address, I will briefly deal with the matter of the Baltic Sea area.
First of all, let us talk about the European Union. On April 16, we signed the accession treaty, which has so far been ratified by four Member States (Denmark, Germany, Portugal, and Spain) and five acceding states (Cyprus, Malta, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia). The rest are planning, depending upon the intricacies and complexities of their individual ratification processes, to ratify the accession treaty during the last months of this year, or at the beginning of 2004. In Estonia, the accession treaty has passed the first reading in parliament.
Since the signing of the accession treaty with the European Union, Estonia has taken several decisive steps to complete the accession process. The most significant one was of course the referendum, which took place on September 14, when the Estonian people gave their support to European Union accession. The referendum marked the beginning of a new stage of development. If before that, sceptics could often be heard to claim that accession to the European Union was a project launched by just the elite, politicians, and civil servants, then now it is clear that an overwhelming majority of the population approves of accession. The positive result of the referendum and the definite support expressed for the concept of accession by two thirds of the voters gives the government a clear mandate to not only complete the preparations for accession, but to also staunchly defend Estonia’s positions at the European Union’s Intergovernmental Conference.
The European Convention, which completed its work in the summer, presented the present and future Member States with the new Draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. At the Thessalonica European Council session in the summer, a consensus was achieved concerning the approval of most of the proposals presented in the Draft Treaty, and the establishment of the basis for further talks. Meanwhile, at the Rome Intergovernmental Conference, which began on October 4, serious work needs to be done to reach a consensus in connection with several institutional questions.
I regard it as essential that the Acceding States are participating in the Intergovernmental Conference as equals with the Member States. A noteworthy achievement is no doubt the fact that both the Member as well as the Acceding States have been unanimous concerning the need to make the European Union legislative process as a whole public and more comprehensible for the citizens of Europe.
At the Intergovernmental Conference there has been an active discussion concerning the 25 member European Union Presidency. Most of the states have assumed the position that the Team Presidency concept should be supported. According to this vision, the European Union’s Presidency would be assumed jointly by three to five states for a longer period than the hitherto six months. There is also a continuing discussion concerning the new offices, which are being created – the more precise defining of the roles of the elected President of the European Council and the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Estonia’s approach to the Intergovernmental Conference is based upon a vision of the future, which is spelled out in the Government’s White Book. This document was also debated at a Riigikogu session and by appropriate Committees. Estonia supports the development of the European Union as a union of states, in which the equal treatment of all Member States is assured. This has been one of the European Union’s basic principles, and must also be maintained in the future.
For us it is important that the new treaty clearly reflects the principle according to which every Member State is represented in the European Commission by a commissioner, and that the commissioners participate in the decision making process on an equal basis. For us it is also important that qualified majority decision making in the Council of Ministers be limited to cases clearly stipulated in the Constitutional Treaty. Since the changing of the voting process is a very momentous decision, it must, in our opinion, in the future also be subject to the full Treaty amendment procedure. The minimum number of Member State European Parliament seats, as stipulated in the Nice Treaty, should not be reduced. Estonia would also like to maintain the number of votes agreed upon in Nice for qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers. If the Intergovernmental Conference decides to change this system, then we would like to see a solution according to which the majority percentage of both votes and populations be the same.
On April 16 of this year, Estonia was granted observer status at the European Union. Estonia may participate in the work of the Council of the European Union at all decision-making levels, with the right to present and justify its positions. And Estonia has made active use of these opportunities. Within the framework of the consultation process, we have presented several applications so that our interests would be taken into consideration as new European Union legislation is drafted, especially when it comes to taxation policy; environmental, domestic, and judicial matters; and energy. Estonia also participates actively in the different level working groups drafting the European Union’s foreign and security policy, so that the European Union’s common foreign and security policy will also satisfy Estonia’s needs.
To ensure that the decisions arrived at will be suitable for us, we have to constantly look for Members at the Council of Ministers, and the Committee of Permanent Representatives and its working groups, who share our views. It also means that we have to constantly explain our standpoints in the European Commission, where Europe’s legislation is first drafted.
The Government is presently formulating Estonia’s general long-term priorities as a member of the European Union. The Foreign Ministry has also drawn up an appropriate analysis dealing with its particular field of expertise. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is, among other things, responsible for seeing to it that Estonia’s national interests are observed within the framework of the European Union’s common foreign and security policy, foreign trade policy, and consular and visa policy. The Foreign Ministry also plays a key role in representing the state and its citizens in the European Union’s various institutions; in dealing with the other European Union Member States; and in working out political solutions together with the European Union Secretariat, which are suitable for Estonia.
And now, a few words about the European Union’s common foreign and security policy, and Estonia’s positions concerning these matters. As far as the European Union’s foreign relations are concerned, Estonia totally shares presently presiding Italy’s, and the majority of the other member states’ conviction, that the European Union’s international role needs to be increased. I find that, in the future, Estonia must do its utmost to ensure that the European Union’s common foreign and security policy will be effective and consistent. Thanks to a common foreign and security policy, Estonia will, in the international arena, be supported by the collective opinion of 25 states, which carries much more weight than the simple sum of the opinions of individual Member States.
From the point of view of Estonia’s security and its economic development, one essential common foreign and security policy matter is the development of the European Union’s relations with Russia. The European Union, as Russia’s most important economic partner, influences Russia’s endeavours to become a democratic state. In the near future, the European Union and Russia will be discussing several important matters, such as judicial and domestic policy questions, and whether and under what conditions the European Union and Russia might, in the long perspective, mutually to abolish visa requirements. And Estonia, keeping in mind both its own interests and those of the European Union as a whole, will also be participating in these talks.
Estonia in every way greets the "Wider Europe – New Neighbours" initiative. I find that Estonia must actively develop relations with the European Union’s eastern next-door neighbours. And at the same time to participate in the putting together of development cooperation projects aimed at the Western Balkan states, and to be involved in the adequate funding of these projects. We have experience with carrying out bilateral development cooperation with several of the states in the aforementioned region, and after having acceded to the European Union, we can even better contribute to the international efforts to aid these states. For instance, helping to stabilise Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova helps to increase both regional security, and the likelihood that Estonia will be successful in its individual foreign policy endeavours. Various policies aimed at both the Caucasian states and the "New Neighbours" are still being formulated in the European Union, thus giving Estonia a chance to contribute to this effort.
Estonia is, among other things, interested in the long-term stability of the Balkans. It is essential that the reform processes be speeded up. And Estonia supports the European Union’s plans to continue integrating the Western Balkan region into the European Union.
Upon acceding with the European Union, changes will take place in the formulating of our foreign economic policy. On the basis of the European Union Treaty’s Article 133, we will become part of the European Union’s common commercial policy formulating process. Many essential foreign markets for Estonian goods will become part of our domestic market, where economic relations will be regulated by European Union legislation. Thereby, our foreign trade policy will become much more influential, and our interests will be better protected.
Estonia’s priorities in the formulating and enacting of the European Union’s immigration and visa policy is tied in with the fact that we are a border state. Estonia greets the plan to continue the endeavours being made in connection with the fight against illegal immigration, and also the attention being paid to border security and the question of asylum. In connection with the European Union’s common external border, we see the necessity for common standards, and financial solidarity in connection with enforcing them. At the same time, we find that each individual Member State should guard its own border. For Estonia, it is important that treaties concerning the readmission of illegal immigrants be signed with Russia, Byelorussia, Ukraine, and several other states.
Respected Members of the Riigikogu!
In the year 2004, there will be changes in our security policy profile. The main reasons for these changes will not only be our upcoming accession into the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, but also the processes taking place in the international security sphere generally. Therefore, it is very essential to fully comprehend our new situation, and to formulate a new national security concept.
In the course of the last two years, the situation in the world has changed noticeably. Terrorism has become one of the main challenges to international security. The terrorist attacks in Baghdad against the UN mission on August 19, and against the International Red Cross representation on October 27, which both cost many human lives, are clear examples of the fact that terrorists are prepared to use all means for achieving their aims. The terror in Iraq is ever more being directed against the Iraqi people themselves. This only confirms the fact that during this critical period Iraq is in dire need of international aid.
It would be naïve to assume that for us terrorism is a distant phenomenon. The results and long-term effects of global terrorism are noticeable upon even Estonia’s security environment. We have been dealing with the improvement of domestic coordination and exchange of information. And within the framework of our international efforts, we have endorsed all 12 UN anti-terrorism conventions, and have actively cooperated with many states and international organisations.
As a future NATO member, we have to keep in mind, that according to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, we, if the situation requires it, have to be ready to either accept assistance, or to help our allies, and share the responsibilities that NATO membership brings with it. We have to be ready to participate in NATO’s joint political decision-making process, in joint defence projects and in joint defence planning, and in the solving of all tasks confronting the Alliance.
The European Security and Defence Policy – ESDP – continues to be developed within the framework of the European Union’s common foreign and security policy. The European Union’s contribution to the fight against security risks definitely has to be increased, and Europe’s capability to carry out military and civilian operations improved. Estonia is concretely contributing, in the form of police officers and soldiers, to the first European Union crisis regulating operations. It is extremely important that we be able to ensure our continued proportional participation in these operations.
This year, the European Union took over from NATO a military operation and the responsibility of ensuring the peace in Macedonia. Since the situation there has stabilised, the military mission in Macedonia will be terminated in December, and the European Union will send a police mission there, in which Estonia should also be participating. We are well experienced in this field thanks to the police mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Estonia’s participation will continue in the future.
Estonia supports the development of the ESDP in a manner that would complement and strengthen NATO, and would be based upon NATO’s leading role as an organisation ensuring collective security. It is possible to successfully fight against terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other contemporary security risks only if the European Union and the United States cooperate. The partial overlapping of NATO’s and the European Union’s security policies should strengthen, not weaken, the cooperation and partnership of not only the two organisations, but also of Europe and the United States. Therefore, I would like to especially stress the necessity for continually strengthening the transatlantic ties.
Estonia has already demonstrated its trustworthiness as a partner in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and especially Iraq where, on June 20, 43 soldiers were sent on a six- month mission. The building up of Iraq is extremely important from the global security point of view. At the end October, at the Madrid donors’ conference, Estonia confirmed its readiness to continue participating in the building up of Iraq. We have always supported the UN’s essential role in this process, and greet Iraq Resolution 1511, which was unanimously approved by the UN Security Council on October 16. This Resolution deals with the mandate of the stabilisation forces, and creates a general framework for the transition of power back to the Iraqi people.
At the same time, the building up of Iraq must not divert attention and resources from cooperative processes taking place in Arab countries and other Middle East region states. Further development of the Middle East peace process would be a priceless contribution to intercultural dialogue, to the achieving of stability, and to economic development, not only in that region, but in the world as a whole.
Three interrelated documents are presently being drafted in Estonia: the principles of a national security policy; a strategic military defence plan; and a plan for the structure and development of the defence forces till the year 2010. The need to draft a new national security concept arose since the previous security policy principles were formulated for a phase of our Euro-Atlantic integration process, which is about to end. That stage of development will soon be behind us, and we need clear directions for our continued endeavours. We also have to take into account the new dangers, which were not as topical when the previous security concept was being drafted.
Respected Members of the Riigikogu,
Finally, I would like to briefly talk about protecting the Baltic Sea and about regional development. Estonia took over the chairmanship of the Council of Baltic Sea States from Finland in June 2003. During the year of chairmanship, we plan to continue cooperative efforts in all previous spheres of activity, of which three have special priority.
Of primary importance is the environmental protection of the Baltic Sea. Estonia is interested in concluding an agreement that would ensure the banning of single hulled tankers. This would reduce, to a minimum, the danger of pollution that has been caused by heavy tanker traffic. The agreement would also ensure that the Baltic Sea is declared to be a particularly sensitive sea area.
The second priority is economic cooperation, with one aim being the speeded up development of regional transportation and energy networks. In addition to that, we would like to improve the economic environment by developing information technology, by coordinating the activities of the various customs and border-guard agencies, and by promoting cross-border cooperation. At the Baltic Sea parliamentarians’ conference in Oulu, it was proposed that the Council of Baltic Sea States become a regional political coordinator that would unite the organisations active in the region.
As the third priority, I would bring forth the ensuring of the security of the region’s civil society. This requires coordination in the cross-border organised crime, including terrorism; the trade in weapons, narcotics, and human beings; and smuggling.
In addition to the aforementioned priorities, the Council of Baltic Sea States, as a multinational organisation, must tackle the following question – what now? How to rationalise the Council’s structure and work so that it meets the participating member states’ needs? As a result of the European Union’s enlargement, a situation will develop in the region around Estonia, in which eight Baltic Sea States are members of the European Union. I find that the Baltic Sea States’ cooperative potential should be made maximum use of in the European Union. As should be ensured the Union’s support for the development of Europe’s economically fastest growing region. Therefore, I find it significant that, in October, the European Council endorsed the Northern Dimension’s second programme for the years 2004-2006.
Honourable Ms. Chairman,
Respected Members of the Riigikogu!
The next time we will be reviewing the main guidelines of Estonia’s foreign policy, presumably, as NATO and European Union members. Estonia is facing a period rife with opportunities. Yet, membership is not a free ticket to a bright future. It, rather, brings growing responsibilities. Presumably, it means that all of the Estonian Republic’s institutions will have to coordinate themselves more than ever before, when carrying out foreign policy. Membership also means greater monetary needs, since we will have to be constantly active so as to ensure that the decisions made will be suitable for Estonia. Ever-increasing participation in working groups and committees, ever-faster decision-making mechanisms, and ever-more hosting of protocol events. And that is how it is not only in the European Union and NATO, but also in many other international organisations like the UN, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE.
The under-budgeting of the last four-five years has, unfortunately, prevented the smooth and systematic development of the Foreign Service. The Foreign Ministry has drafted a Foreign Service development plan for the years 2004-2008, which has been presented to the Cabinet. And it is essential for the continued successful diplomatic representation of Estonia, that you, the respected Members of the Riigikogu, also familiarise yourself with this development plan.
Thank you for your attention!
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