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

Fredrik Reinfeldt and Taavi Rõivas. Photo: valitsus.ee

Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas said at the meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt that the relations between Estonia and Sweden are very good, trade between the two countries is on the rise and Sweden’s growing economy offers opportunities for Estonian exporters.

“The Swedish companies are also satisfied with their investments in Estonia, which are currently growing,” Taavi Rõivas noted. “Still, there is potential to achieve more.”

“I believe that Estonia will become even more attractive for the Swedish companies,” the Prime Minister said by referring to the government’s plan to simplify the business start-up process and the use of digital services for foreigners. “The Estonians have long been doing everyday things digitally and now, the same possibility also opens for foreigners in the form of e-residency. If a Swede has a company or business partner in Estonia, he or she can manage his or her company or sign documents without leaving Sweden.”

Also, the European Union’s future after the European Parliament elections was under discussion. Sweden and Estonia are like-minded Member States, who consider it important to remove obstacles to the functioning of the European Union’s single market and ensure the free movement of services.

“Estonia is interested in strengthening the competitiveness of the European Union and the development of a digital single market in order to contribute to the creation of new jobs,” the Prime Minister said.

Once again, the situation in Ukraine and the region’s security policy was under discussion. Both Rõivas and Reinfeldt acknowledged that Estonia and Sweden have the same views on the issue of Ukraine – Putin’s Russia has interfered in the internal affairs of Ukraine and Russia has not begun to comply with the Geneva Agreement.

At the meeting, it was noted, “Such behaviour does not conform to international law and creates tension in the international situation.”

It was found at the meeting that the events in Ukraine have raised questions of energy security and the European Union’s high dependency on third countries for energy resources. Prime Minister Rõivas expressed his gladness over the fact that the establishment of NordBalt electrical connection between Lithuania and Sweden is under way. The cable should be activated at the end of 2015.

“Its completion has a significant impact on the Baltic electricity market. Together with the establishment of the cable between Lithuania and Poland, which should be completed at the same time, the connection significantly reduces the energy deficit in Lithuania and Latvia,” the Prime Minister said. “It also reduces the price differences between markets in countries in the region.”

Rõivas also expressed gratitude to Sweden for transporting Estonia's military team to the Central Africa on Friday.