Estonian PM participating in meeting of European leaders in Albania

TALLINN - Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal is participating in a meeting of the European Political Community in Tirana, the capital of Albania, on Friday, to which leaders from 47 countries across Europe have been invited, but not from Russia and Belarus.

"This is an important cooperation format aimed at increasing European unity and cooperation, including with countries that are not members of the EU," the premier said in a press release. "Today, we will continue important discussions on European security and competitiveness," he added.

Michal will take part in a round table on European defense and democracy consolidation, which focuses on reaching a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

The meeting will also discuss new opportunities for cooperation to strengthen Europe's defense industry. The discussion will be chaired by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

The prime minister also has a bilateral meeting scheduled with the president of Moldova, Maia Sandu.

"Moldova has taken impressive steps to meet the conditions for EU accession," said Michal. "Estonia's support for their accession path remains firm."

The European Political Community convened for the first time in the autumn of 2022 in the Czech Republic, and Friday's meeting in Albania is its sixth meeting. In addition to heads of state and government leaders, representatives of the European Union, NATO, OSCE, and the Council of Europe have been invited to the meeting.

The next meeting of the community will take place this autumn in Denmark.