The members of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) attend in the Plenary Meeting of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC), held in Paris, France, from today until Saturday. The main topics to be discussed at the conference will be the situation in Ukraine and the future of Europe.

Member of the European Union Affairs Committee Riina Sikkut stated that although the debate on Ukraine, which will take place on Saturday, had been the last to be added to the agenda, it was undoubtedly the most important issue. “The Member States of the European Union have shown unprecedented unity in responding to Russia’s aggression. Harsh sanctions have been imposed on Russia, Ukraine is given military aid and the war refugees are helped. It is very important to continue with the same sense of unity,” Sikkut said. She added that the COSAC plenary meeting planned to approve a declaration against Russia and the war.

Member of the European Union Affairs Committee Timo Suslov plans to make a speech during the debate on climate. In his opinion, energy is the foundation of the green transition, and the transition to renewable energy in Estonia will require major investments. “In carrying out the green transition, it is important to listen to the researchers and entrepreneurs who can think clearly in their field and put theory into practice,” Suslov underlined. “I believe that the green transition will provide us opportunities, and together with innovative companies, we can do it.”

The topics on agenda of the COSAC include debates on Ukraine, on climate change and energy transition, as well as on the recovery plan for Europe, and the conference on the future of Europe. Also, the progress reports from the working groups will be heard, and the Prime Minister of France will present an overview of the plans for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Plenary Meeting of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union is held in Paris, France, from 3 to 5 March. Members of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Tarmo Kruusimäe, Anti Poolamets, Riina Sikkut, Timo Suslov and Margit Sutrop represent Estonia at the Plenary Meeting.

COSAC is a cooperation format that brings together the Committees for Union Affairs of the national parliaments of the 27 Member States of the European Union.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
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