President Ilves: Aim is to Preserve the European Union and the Euro Area

By Juhan Tere (October 18, 2011)

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said while visiting Finland on Monday that if the aim is to preserve the European Union and the euro area, it must be demanded that all EU states follow the rules, LETA/National Broadcasting reports.

“We have to share a common understanding of fiscal responsibility, this is the only way to guarantee stability and sustainable development of the EU,” said Ilves.

Ilves met with Finnish President Tarja Halonen, Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erkki Tuomioja, and will also paid a visit to the Finnish Parliament.
Ilves said that one of the bases of good relations of Estonia and Finland is close cooperation in issues concerning Europe. In addition to common concerns connected to the euro area financial crisis, we are also connected by the close cooperation of the Baltic Sea states.

This was the second foreign visit for President Ilves, who began his second session in office by taking an oath of office in the Riigikogu on 10 October and the visit was to emphasize the importance and closeness of relations between Estonia and Finland. Five years ago, when first elected to office, Toomas Hendrik Ilves also made one of his first foreign visits to Finland.

On Monday night, President Ilves proceeded to Brussels for a working visit, where he will visit the European Parliament and meet with Jerzy Buzek, the President of the European Parliament, and the candidate for next President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz. They will discuss the budget of the European Union, including the issue of agricultural subsidies.

President Ilves will also participate in a representation conference in Brussels, which is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the independence of the Baltic states.