Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Legislation

Decisions and agreements achieved in Estonia as well as elsewhere in Europe during the meetings ranged from activities necessary to solve the migration crisis to signing the 5G or fast internet development declaration.

"The member states have deemed the priorities of our presidency very relevant and something which need solutions right this moment. The delegates who visited Estonia have been very satisfied with our work so far, we have received accolades for substantive discussions, the organization of events and the experience gained. I am especially glad that we have achieved concrete agreements within the first month of the presidency," Klen Jaarats, the director for EU affairs at the Government Office of Estonia, said.

Since the opening ceremony of the Estonian presidency on June 29, altogether 40 meetings of ministers, committees and experts have taken place in Estonia and approximately 200 in Brussels. Estonia has also led a number of more specific discussions, which have resulted in agreements on the next steps of concrete issues -- for example, the management of the migration crisis.

"The main role of Estonia as the EU presidency is to be the leader, who helps to find reasonable middle ground among different standpoints and needs. At the same time it is clear that the presidency alone does not sign agreements and it is always a matter of teamwork. We have taken over a number of topics from the previous presidency, Malta," Jaarats said.