At the meeting of the President of the Riigikogu Ene Ergma and the President of Germany Joachim Gauck at Toompea, the current diverse and constructive relations between the states were recognised. 

Ergma and Gauck considered it important to achieve financial stability at European Union level in order to thereby ensure the necessary economic growth which is the basis for solving social problems. 

At the meeting, the need to follow a reasonable and responsible financial policy was stressed. Ergma emphasised: “No politician has the right to organise life at the expense of future generations.” Gauck found that Estonia is a good example of well-considered steps taken when acting in a crisis situation. 

Gauck noted that Estonia had shown how, with well-considered action, it was possible to manage without assuming excessive obligations. In his opinion, this can also be seen from the fact that, despite the difficulties, the people have understood the situation and re-elected the politicians who have pursued austerity policy. In Gauck’s opinion, Estonia’s message of a reasonable policy should be spread more widely in the international arena. 

Ergma noted that the mutual active relations between the Riigikogu and the Bundestag had had an important place in the relations of the two states. Delegations of committees and political parties of both parliaments as well as representations of the parliaments of the States of Germany have paid mutual visits. These meetings have been held in a business-like atmosphere. 

Ergma and Gauck stated that both states would benefit from the cooperation within the framework of the European Union as well as from the broadening of mutual relations. At the meeting, it was noted that, in EU matters, the two states had the closest positions on the EU’s financial and economic issues. It was stated that the crisis in the eurozone had brought Estonia and Germany as states with responsible public finances closer to each other. 

The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson, the Deputy Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Marianne Mikko, the Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee Urmas Klaas and member of the Economic Affairs Committee Kalev Kallo took part in the meeting. 

Photos of the meeting: https://fotoalbum.riigikogu.ee/v/2013/Ene+Ergma/Joachim+Gauck/ 

The Riigikogu Press Service