Baltic States – CIS, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Security

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The ministers talked about the referendum which is scheduled to take place in the U.K. on June 23 and where the British people will decide whether to stay in the EU or not, spokespeople for the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs said. According to Kaljurand, a strong and functioning EU is in Estonia's interests. "Therefore Estonia wants to see the U.K. as a member of the EU also after the June referendum, but this is, of course, for the British people to decide," she said.

According to Kaljurand, Estonia values highly the U.K.'s contribution to the security of Europe and the Baltic Sea region. "We are anticipating concrete steps from the Warsaw summit regarding increasing the permanent presence on the eastern flank of the alliance and we are counting on cooperation with the U.K. in regard to the matter," she added.

When speaking about European security, both Kaljurand and Hammond said that as long as Russia does not change its present course regarding Ukraine, it is not possible to speak about restoring relations in their former state. "The annexation of Crimea and the continued destabilization of Ukraine have created a permanent atmosphere in the relations with Russia which can only be overcome by Russia returning to the principles agreed upon," Kaljurand said.

Kaljurand and Hammons also spoke about the situation in the EU neighborhood. Kaljurand stressed that Eastern Partnership has a central role in EU foreign policy. Besides supporting reforms, Estonia and the U.K. consider important helping Eastern Partnership countries with strategic communication. In addition, it is important that next steps are taken in the direction of visa-freedom with Georgia and Ukraine.

At the meeting, the ministers also discussed the situation in the southern neighborhood of the EU, including possible cooperation between the EU and Libya.