During the video conference today, the Foreign Affairs Committee received assurance that Estonia is well prepared for our UN Security Council Presidency which starts in May.  

The Chairman of the Committee Enn Eesmaa described Estonia as standing on the threshold of a historic moment, because we will assume the UN Security Council Presidency in May. “This is very important for us, and also a significant moment because this Presidency would be the first for Estonia,” Eesmaa emphasised. “With this, we are also inaugurating a quarter of European Presidencies because Estonia will be followed by France and Germany.”

Eesmaa added that Estonia would use its Presidency to work towards ending all the armed conflicts around the world during the Covid-19 pandemic, as proposed by the Secretary-General of the UN António Guterres.  

The Deputy Chairman of the Committee Marko Mihkelson explained that the Committee was satisfied that Estonia was ready to fulfil the role of the UN Security Council Presidency next month. “Although all the meetings take place online, we were assured that the work goes on as usual, Mihkelson said.

The Committee heard the Permanent Representative of Estonia to the United Nations, Ambassador Sven Jürgenson, the Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lembit Uibo, and the Director of the Division of International Organisations and Human Rights Liis Lipre-Järma.  

The Committee was told that Estonia would take its lead from the priorities of the UN Security Council Presidency so far, and would work towards ensuring the transparent and smooth work of the Council. During the Presidency month, Estonia will organise five special events dedicated to the lessons learned after World War II, working methods of the Security Council, cyber stability and conflict prevention, protection of civilians, and UN cooperation with other international organisations. 

Riigikogu Press Service
Epp-Mare Kukemelk
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