Chairpersons of the European Union affairs committees of national parliaments meet in Tallinn
Today and tomorrow, chairpersons of the European Union affairs committees of national parliaments and representatives of the European Parliament meet in Tallinn at the opening conference of the parliamentary events of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
According to the Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Toomas Vitsut, parliamentary level cooperation in the European Union is more important than ever before. “In parliamentary debates, we usually find the right balance between different opinions, which is important for preserving the unity of the European Union,” Vitsut said.
Vitsut emphasised that in the parliamentary level discussions during the Presidency, Estonia would try to raise the issues where the contribution of the parliaments was vital. In his opinion, the topics relating to increasing the competitiveness in the European Union, creating solidarity under the conditions of migration pressure, and the future of the European Union are examples of such issues. “I have invited my colleagues to Tallinn to discuss together how to implement the Estonian Presidency programme in the best way, and what conditions the startups need in order to operate successfully in the EU,” Vitsut said. “I wish that in Tallinn my colleagues would get the experience of an almost paper-free administration process.”
On Monday, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas will give an overview of the priorities of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union – an open and innovative European economy, a safe and secure Europe, a digital Europe and the free flow of data, and an inclusive and sustainable Europe – at the conference held in the Session Hall of the Riigikogu.
Other reports at the conference will deal with innovation and startups. Kristin Schreiber from the European Commission, Sten Tamkivi from Estonia and Ivo Špigel from Croatia will try to find answers to the questions on what has to be done in Europe and at the national level to support startups and help them become growing companies. It will also be discussed how the politicians could contribute to the success of startups, and how to ensure that the economy of the European Union would be more competitive. The participants of the debate will share best practices.
On Sunday, the Presidential Troika of COSAC, which is made up of the current Presidency holder Estonia, the preceding Presidency holder Malta and the next Presidency holder Bulgaria, will also meet in Tallinn. The purpose of the meeting, which is also attended by a representative of the European Parliament, is to ensure the continuity of the work of COSAC.
All delegates have the possibility to visit the creative incubator Tallinn Design House.
The Estonian delegation has three members: Toomas Vitsut, Marianne Mikko and Jaak Madison.
The Meeting of the Chairpersons of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of the Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC) is a preparation for the COSAC Plenary Meeting, which will be held in Tallinn at the end of November. The main topics of the Plenary Meeting are the future of the EU, the role of national parliaments, the development of digital single market, the external dimension of migration, and the security issues.
You can find more information about the meeting of the COSAC chairpersons and other parliamentary events of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union on the website www.parleu2017.ee. We kindly ask the journalists to apply for accreditation to the events.
Epp-Mare Kukemelk
Communications Coordinator
Parliamentary Dimension
Presidency of the Council of the EU
+372 631 6356 +372 515 3903
Lossi plats 1a, 15165 Tallinn, Eesti
