Editor's note

The Council’s Presidency task is to represent the member states’ ministers in the Council and defend the agreements reached in negotiations with the European Commission and the Parliament. Therefore, the member state holding the presidency has a great opportunity during this 6-month period to steer progressive discussions among the EU “sectoral” ministers.

The Estonian Presidency aims to be knowledgeable, efficient, open and transparent, giving a special focus to digital solutions, innovative economy, security, and preserving a clean environment. 

Individual and common EU interests

The presidency of the Council rotates among EU member states every 6 months. Three consecutive presidencies agree among themselves which fields they wish to highlight on the European level. This ensures that important topics remain in focus over the course of 18 months. Each presidency composes an individual programme based on the priorities of the trio. Estonia belongs to what is called a “Presidency Trio” with Bulgaria and Austria. 

The motto of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union is “Unity through balance”; in this way Estonia will figure out common EU issues in order to successfully tackle all European challenges and make most of all the possibilities that face EU citizens.

For example, there is a need to facilitate openness in both the economic and social policies, while also ensuring safety and security. Hence, Estonian role is to find a balance between the different views, traditions and interests in Europe today to achieve the best possible outcome for European citizens, acknowledges the country’s press relese.

See: https://www.eu2017.ee/priorities-estonian-presidency

For this, the EU needs to act as a team. Only then can we come together, successfully tackle all the challenges, and make the most of all the possibilities. There is so much more that unites us than divides us. For that we need to find balance, between the traditions and new ways of living and working, balance between what keeps us safe and what creates new opportunities. Finding this balance ensures that we also find the best way to go forward together and deliver tangible solutions for our citizens.

https://www.eu2017.ee/about-presidency-and-eu

Estonian four priorities

1. Open and innovative European economy

An open and innovative European economy means developing a business environment that supports knowledge-based growth and competitiveness.

To this end, the Presidency will focus on:

• protecting and promoting the EU's four freedoms – free movement of goods, persons, services and capital;
• making sure that providing services and starting a business in the EU is as easy as possible, and advancing trade negotiations;
• creating new funding opportunities for companies and ensuring a stable banking sector;
• establishing a stable and well-functioning electricity market and empowering consumers;
• ensuring fair competition by preventing tax evasion.  

2. Promoting peace, prosperity and stability

To this end, Estonian Presidency will focus on:

• strengthening the fight against terrorism and organised crime, strengthening the internal security as well as the protection of the EU’s external borders by improving cooperation and using cutting-edge information systems;
• continuing the work tackling the migration crisis and reforming the Common European Asylum System;
• supporting and strengthening relations with Eastern Partnership countries; and
• increasing defence expenditure, developing European defence cooperation and the EU-NATO partnership.

3. Digital agenda

Europe must exploit the benefits of the technological progress that is resulting in constant change for citizens, businesses and governments.

To this end, Estonia will focus on:

• developing cross-border e-commerce and e-services for the benefit of consumers, producers and businesses
• ensuring modern and secure electronic communications available everywhere across Europe as well as creating a favourable environment for new innovative services
• advancing cross-border digital public services to facilitate everyday life

4. Inclusive and sustainable Europe

The aim is to support equal opportunities for high-quality education, employment, access to services and development of skills. A sustainable Europe cares about and is committed to achieving a cleaner environment. In this regard, Estonia will focus on:

• modernising rules in order to promote labour mobility and free movement of persons;
• ensuring equal opportunities in the labour market and social inclusion; and
• securing a more sustainable environment.

Source: https://www.eu2017.ee/priorities-estonian-presidency