1. Estonian viewpoints and challenges in EU Raul Toomas 2008

2. Major Themes (1) Estonian Foreign Policy Estonian Foreign Policy Basic Conceptions Basic Conceptions Periods of post-1991 Estonian Periods of post-1991 Estonian foreign policy, incl. EU integration foreign policy, incl. EU integration objectives and attitudes objectives and attitudes

3. Major Themes (2) Key conceptions of Estonian Key conceptions of Estonian EU Policy EU Policy Estonian priorities in the Estonian priorities in the framework of CFSP framework of CFSP Estonian attitudes towards major EU Estonian attitudes towards major EU topics: EU Enlargement; Future topics: EU Enlargement; Future of EU and Relations with Russia of EU and Relations with Russia

4. Estonian Foreign Policy basic conception For Estonia the foreign policy has always been foremost security policy For Estonia the foreign policy has always been foremost security policy foreign policy is something that has to secure national independence and increase international prestige foreign policy is something that has to secure national independence and increase international prestige Security= integration + positive engagement Security= integration + positive engagement (during 1990s.) (during 1990s.)

5. Periods of post-1991 Estonian foreign policy I period (1991-1994) - main aim I period (1991-1994) - main aim was to strengthen regained independence was to strengthen regained independence II period (1994-2004) - Estonian EU and II period (1994-2004) - Estonian EU and NATO accession processes NATO accession processes III period (2004 - …) - search for new ‘Big III period (2004 - …) - search for new ‘Big Goals’ for foreign policy Goals’ for foreign policy

6. Key conceptions of Estonian EU Policy A Stronger European Union A Stronger European Union Competitive economy Competitive economy Towards full integration Towards full integration An open Union An open Union

7. Estonian priorities in CFSP  EU–US Relations – Transatlantic link  ESDP – peace-keeping missions and EU-NATO partnership EU-NATO partnership  Western Balkans  European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) and EU-Russian Relations

8. EU–US Relations Strong transatlantic link is vital for EE security Strong transatlantic link is vital for EE security EU-US relations encompass basically all CFSP issues EU-US relations encompass basically all CFSP issues Primary role for European Security rests upon EU-NATO close cooperation Primary role for European Security rests upon EU-NATO close cooperation EU and US must accompany each other in the world EU and US must accompany each other in the world

9. ESDP For EE it is important to ensure peace and security PRIMARY in Europe and its neighborhood For EE it is important to ensure peace and security PRIMARY in Europe and its neighborhood ESDP and NATO must cooperate and SUPPLEMENT each other but NOT COMPETE ESDP and NATO must cooperate and SUPPLEMENT each other but NOT COMPETE Convergence of hard and soft security measures Convergence of hard and soft security measures Involvement on peace-keeping missions – EE as net-security provider Involvement on peace-keeping missions – EE as net-security provider

10. Western Balkans Important priority for EU Important priority for EU Clear EU Perspective – EE considers SAP quite effective tool Clear EU Perspective – EE considers SAP quite effective tool EE involvement in peace-keeping missions (military and police) starting 1995 up to present day (Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia) EE involvement in peace-keeping missions (military and police) starting 1995 up to present day (Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia) Experiences in providing development assistance/cooperation – “recent transition experiences” Experiences in providing development assistance/cooperation – “recent transition experiences”

11. ENP and EU-Russian Relations Priorities for EE: Relations with Russia and ENP target states: Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia Priorities for EE: Relations with Russia and ENP target states: Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia ENP most important mechanism to influence development in EU Neighborhood for EU and even EE bilaterally ENP most important mechanism to influence development in EU Neighborhood for EU and even EE bilaterally EE development cooperation priorities: Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia + Afghanistan EE development cooperation priorities: Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia + Afghanistan For EE it is important that EU will have unity regarding strenghtening the ENP For EE it is important that EU will have unity regarding strenghtening the ENP EE strongly support common EU policy towards Russia EE strongly support common EU policy towards Russia

12. EU Enlargement EE supports further enlargement of the EU (support for Croatia, Turkey) EE supports further enlargement of the EU (support for Croatia, Turkey) Important principle – support and conditionality must run parallel Important principle – support and conditionality must run parallel Long-term stability in the Western Balkans and support to EU perspective of WB countries Long-term stability in the Western Balkans and support to EU perspective of WB countries EE is careful of drawing borders EE is careful of drawing borders

13. Future of EU The Lisbon treaty marks a new phase in the Union and gives new possibilities to respond to the challenges of the 21st century. The Lisbon treaty marks a new phase in the Union and gives new possibilities to respond to the challenges of the 21st century. EU as an ever more efficient, coherent and visible global player. The treaty gives the Union a single voice in external relations. EU as an ever more efficient, coherent and visible global player. The treaty gives the Union a single voice in external relations. The overall aim is a more strategic approach to external action. The overall aim is a more strategic approach to external action. Estonian government has given the treaty proposal to the Parliament in and the Parliament is expected to ratify it during this spring. Estonian government has given the treaty proposal to the Parliament in and the Parliament is expected to ratify it during this spring.

14. Relations with Russia Strategic partnership between EU and Russia Estonia supports the conclusion of a new framework agreement Estonia values transparent cooperation in “4 common spaces” incl. the energy sector.

15. Southern Caucasus Important region for EE: Important region for EE: - Area of Frozen Conflicts - Area of Frozen Conflicts - regarding energy resources (Black Sea Synergy) - regarding energy resources (Black Sea Synergy) - crossing point for ENP and EU policy initiatives - crossing point for ENP and EU policy initiatives for Third countries for Third countries - attention must be directed to social-economic - attention must be directed to social-economic reforms, promotion of democracy, regional reforms, promotion of democracy, regional security, overall welfare of citizens security, overall welfare of citizens - Priority for EE in this region is Georgia - Priority for EE in this region is Georgia

16. To Sum Up EE would like to see: EE would like to see: - Stronger EU internally and externally - Effective EU/ESDP – NATO coordination (partnership) - Stable and democratic areas near EU borders (positive engagement, support for enlargement and strong ENP) - Active participation in overall CFSP and ESDP initiatives

17. Thank you for your attention