Hussar, Mihkelson discuss EU enlargement with Serbian Speaker

TALLINN - Speaker of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson said at a meeting with the Speaker of the Serbian Parliament Ana Brnabić on Thursday that Estonia supports the European Union's enlargement and Serbia's further European integration, but this requires not only continuing with reforms but also adherence to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy.

Hussar stated at the meeting that Estonia has always been and continues to be a supporter of EU enlargement. "In turbulent times like these, we need a stronger Europe, and an enlarged Europe is a stronger Europe," he said, affirming that Estonia is ready to share its accession experience with candidate countries.

He also stressed that on the path to EU accession, it is crucial to meticulously meet all criteria, implement all necessary reforms, and adhere to the principles and values agreed upon within the EU.

"Over the past year or two, the EU has shown a clear will to focus on cooperation and to make the union stronger, so that we can speak with one voice on the world stage. To implement a common foreign and security policy, we need unity among member states," he said, highlighting Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine as Europe's most critical issue.

Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Riigikogu's Foreign Affairs Committee, said in the meeting with the Serbian speaker that given the dramatic changes on the world stage, Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, and the broader war against Western allies, the primary task for Estonia, as a small country in a geostrategically sensitive region, is to work towards maintaining the unity of NATO and the EU.

"Estonia has consistently maintained that candidate countries must adhere to and acknowledge the principles of the EU's foreign and security policy. This is now more important than ever," Mihkelson said. He added that the EU must be united and strong at this very moment, and know exactly what it stands for and what it defends. "The question of Serbia's relations with Russia is decisive in seeing whether we are on the same page," he added.

Mihkelson also commended the desire of the Serbian speaker, a former long-serving prime minister, to increase cooperation with Estonia and the other Baltic states and to explain her country's views more thoroughly, calling better mutual understanding essential.

During her visit from Wednesday to Friday, the Speaker of the Serbian Parliament also met with President Alar Karis in Tallinn. Additionally, her itinerary includes visits to the e-Estonia Briefing Centre, the e-Governance Academy, and the company Nortal.