Meetings of President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Eiki Nestor and members of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu with members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, who are on a visit to Estonia, focused on the membership of the European Union and the attitudes of the Britons before the June referendum on remaining in the EU.

At the meeting with the British MPs, Nestor explained why Estonia considered it important to be a Member State of the EU. “We are a small country, and the more integrated we are and the more we stand together with others, the more secure we can feel,” Nestor said. “Therefore it is very important for us to be a member of the European Union, NATO and other international organisations.”

Nestor expressed gratitude to Great Britain for its contribution in ensuring the security of the Baltic airspace. Members of the British Parliament thanked Estonia for its support on the missions in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Central Africa and in the Mediterranean.

E-government, declaring of taxes on the Internet, the migration crisis and multiculturalism were also spoken about at the meeting.

At the meeting with the members of the European Union Affairs Committee, the British MPs explained the situation before the referendum on remaining in the EU, which will be held in June.

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Kalle Palling expressed a hope that the people of United Kingdom would vote for remaining in the EU at the referendum. “I hope that the referendum will go well, and Great Britain will continue to be a member of the European Union – in a union that is ready for changes,” Palling said.

The meeting was attended by members of the European Union Affairs Committee Maris Lauri, Marianne Mikko and Juhan Parts.

Photos of the meetings.

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