Estonia, EU Regional Policy, EU – Baltic States

“We consider it important to enhance the role of the European Union in the Arctic issues,” said Paet, explaining that the developments in the polar areas are very important for the global community from the point of view of assessing climate changes and environmental risks.

“A closer co-operation would bring greater benefits to all – in the field of environment, economy as well as security,” he added.

Paet also gave an overview to his Norwegian colleague of Estonia’s accession to the euro area and of developments in the Estonian economy. “On January 1 next year, Estonia will be the 17th member of the euro area. Estonia is interested in contributing to a strong and functioning monetary union,” he emphasised, adding that Estonia’s recovery from the economic decline has exceeded expectations and the country has by now reached a positive economic growth.

Paet and Store also discussed solid economic relations between Estonia and Norway, the Norwegian financial support to Estonia via the EEA and Norwegian financial mechanism, the situation in Afghanistan and co-operation in international organisations.

During the meeting with Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, chairperson of the committee on foreign affairs and national defence committee of the Norwegian Parliament, the Estonian minister discussed regional co-operation in the Council of the Baltic Sea States and the Baltic Sea strategy and the Northern Dimension. Paet expressed his satisfaction with the well-functioning Nordic-Baltic co-operation.