Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)

Common Foreign and
Security Policy (CFSP)
Estonia’s participation in the CFSP is based on the European principles and interests.
We would like to see in the world more policy based on the shared values of the
EU – democracy, personal freedoms and liberties, free market economy. It is quite
natural, that from its own historical experience, Estonia understands especially well
the importance of the promotion of free press and education on the development of
democracy. We know well that supporting the liberalisation of the economy, promotion
of exports and other free market reforms may be much more effective than direct
economic assistance. Estonia’s participation in the debates of Council working groups
and EU foreign ministers’ meetings is based on these principles.
As much as the resources allow, Estonia contributes to all CFSP issues, being especially
active and taking initiatives in the topics where our participation can add
more value. Since joining the EU, the priorities have remained the same. The priority
topics for Estonia within the CFSP are the European Neighbourhood Policy, EU-USA
relations, the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), including EU-NATO relations,
Western Balkans and the EU-Russia relations.
The European Neighbourhood Policy has arrived at the phase of first stocktaking. In
December 2006 the Commission presented the state of play and progress reports on
the Neighbourhood partners, whose ENP Action Plans began to be implemented in
2005. The Commission set also out new proposals for strengthening the neighbourhood
policy. Estonia regards those proposals as useful and necessary. The ENP needs
more differentiation than before, and the setting of clear priorities. In 2007 a broader
discussion is anticipated regarding the further development of the ENP (especially in
the Eastern direction). Alongside the general discussion we must ensure the implementation
of the existing plans and objectives. Work is continuing on concrete issues,
of which for us most important is the work on the EU-Ukraine enhanced agreement
and starting the visa facilitation negotiations with Moldova. The South Caucasus
countries are going to start the implementation of their action plans. Estonia intends
to implement several projects in order to support work on the priority areas of
these action plans. Although we have more contacts and exchange of experience with
the neighbours in the East, we regard cooperation with the EU southern neighbours
equally important.
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Estonia’s relations with Russia form a part of the European Union’s relations with
Russia. Estonia’s goal is to build in cooperation with other EU member states such
a strategic relationship between the EU and Russia, which would take into account
Estonia’s national interests and would be based on shared values. It is in the interests
of all EU member states to ensure that Russia is democratic and that we have a stable
partnership with Russia. We appreciate the work already done to ensure this. One of
the most important issues of the coming years is the work on the new framework
agreement to replace the EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).
The new agreement should be more detailed and comprehensive than the existing
one, reflecting the achievements of the last decade and giving a realistic frame to
the development. Another important issue for Estonia is the implementation of the
agreement on the four common spaces, signed in May 2005. Many aspects of this
agreement have not yet been implemented. Estonia would like to see the comprehensive
implementation of the four roadmaps, which are based on common values
and interests. In the economic sphere the priority areas for Estonia are energy cooperation,
reduction of trade barriers and cross-border cooperation. In the space
of freedom, security and justice, the facilitation of the registration of foreigners is
a priority. In the space of external security the priority of Estonia is the resolution
of frozen conflicts. The priority of the space of education and science is the further
reinforcement of cooperation within the sphere of culture and education. A third important,
and positive, development has been the signing of the EU-Russia visa facilitation
and readmission agreements at the Sochi summit. One of the most important
outcomes of the visa dialogue should be the adoption and application by Russia of
the European standards.
The Western Balkans is important for Estonia, as the countries of this region have
been offered the European perspective. Holding the Balkan countries on the Euro-
Atlantic course by a positive engagement is the only way to achieve stability and
development in South-Eastern Europe. Estonia has contributed to the efforts to secure
peace and stability in the Western Balkans by participating in the international peace
support missions (including ESDP missions) and transferring the experience of reforms
and accession to the EU and NATO. Taking into account the EU perspective of
these countries, including the candidate country status of Macedonia, Estonia has
actively supported the adoption of negotiation mandates to conclude visa facilitation
and readmission agreements with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro
and Serbia and to conclude the visa facilitation agreement with Albania. The negotiations
with these countries were started on 30 November 2006.
The most important issue of 2007 will be the settlement of the status of Kosovo,
transfer of the international coordination to the EU and the launch of the EU Kosovo
mission, in which Estonia will definitely take part. The future status of Kosovo must
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2006
be in line with the EU perspective of Kosovo and the Western Balkans. This will entail
the increase of the role of the EU in the future of Kosovo.
Being the first country to conclude diplomatic relations with Montenegro, Estonia
has good opportunities for the fast development of relations with this country, and
an important role in facilitating Montenegro’s aspirations to become a full member
of the European family.
A strong transatlantic relationship is an important priority for Estonia. The EU and
NATO share common values, therefore their joint endeavours bear more fruit than
the same efforts undertaken separately. The EU-USA cooperation on promoting democracy,
economic integration over the Atlantic, and on energy issues is extremely
important, irrespective of the occasionally emerging disagreements on certain questions.
The EU and US are more successful if they work jointly on ensuring democracy
and security. No issues should be barred from the discussion of the EU-NATO joint
agenda. Unfortunately this is not always the case.
As said, every member state can not deal with only its national priorities within the
CFSP, but has to pay attention also to other issues. Through EU membership Estonia
participates in the broad external activities of the EU. The European Union has set a
goal to be active in all of the world’s hotbeds of crises and problematic regions. This
is brought about by the understanding that in today’s world security risks do not
recognise state frontiers.
The Middle East – both directly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as the surrounding
countries, also the Persian Gulf countries and North Africa – is a region which affects
the political developments virtually in the whole world. The Southern and Eastern Mediterranean
is historically an area where the interests of different countries and cultures
meet. Understandably, Estonia can not have a leading role in forming joint positions regarding
this part of the world, but the EU’s role and direct activities there have grown.
Estonia takes also part in the Barcelona process. This process is somewhat unique
in the CFSP context, by comprising the regular eye-to-eye meetings of the higher officials
of the EU and its Southern partners (Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Syria, Lebanon,
Tunisia, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Turkey). For Estonia this forum is
especially valuable, as it offers possibilities for bilateral contacts. As a result of this
we can rely on information acquired from direct sources, when we formulate our
positions towards the issues of this region. We consider also very valuable the Anna
Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for Cooperation between Cultures, which was
created one and half years ago within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership
to support projects aimed at a mutual introduction of different cultures.
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ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK
Within the limits of its resources, Estonia participates in the EU election observation
missions. In 2006 Estonian observers participated among others in the elections of
the Palestinian Authority, and in the Kongo Democratic Republic.
Estonia continues in the participation of missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, which are
not ESDP missions. Yet the EU has been considering increased engagement in these
regions. The EU has created a civil mission to train the Iraqi police and is planning a
civil operation in Afghanistan. The EU is also continuing its development aid to both
regions. Estonia supports these endeavours actively and regards them as important.
For example, Estonia fully supports the increasing of the role of the EU in the work
to build up Afghanistan and we hope that an agreement between the EU members
will be reached to this regard. Having increased in 2006 our military contribution to
Afghanistan, Estonia supports also the creation of a civil ESDP mission (advising the
local police).
There was more active debate in 2006 within the EU over the possibilities to improve
the effectiveness, cohesion and visibility of the EU’s external activities in the situation
of the deadlock over the EU Constitutional Treaty. In Estonia’s opinion, more cohesion
can be achieved by drawing up joint food for thought papers by the Council Secretariat
and the Commission, appointing double-hatted EU representatives, improving
the cooperation, coordination and exchange of information between the Commission,
Council, member states and also the European Parliament. Cohesion will be increased
also by closer cross-pillar cooperation (in member states between various ministries
and agencies). Examples of areas where this is needed are fight against terrorism and
justice and home affairs (migration, visa issues etc).
An important guarantee of the effectiveness of external activities is the financing of
the CFSP according to the real needs. Estonia is satisfied that within the agreement
on the new financial perspective it was possible to achieve a substantial increase
of the CFSP budget. Taking into account the fast development of the ESDP and the
ambitions of the EU in this sphere, it is important to continue work to increase the
budget.
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