Foreign Minister Paet: Visa Freedom with All Western Balkan Countries is Clear Intention of EU

08.03.2010

Nr 77-E

Within the framework of the Gymnich meeting in Córdoba, Spain, the European Union foreign ministers met with their Turkish, Croatian, and Macedonian* colleagues to discuss accession to the European Union and the situation in the Western Balkans. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that Estonia supports the European Union accession of the Western Balkan nations. However, Paet is also concerned that reforms have slowed down in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “It is necessary for Bosnia and Herzegovina to gain visa freedom with the European Union and get a NATO Membership Action Plan,” said Paet. “Giving visa freedom to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania as soon as the appropriate requirements are fulfilled would encourage these nations to continue making reforms,” he added.

The EU foreign ministers also discussed reviving peace negotiations in the Middle East. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that opportunities for resuming peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine must be found with the support of the international community. Estonia feels that the active participation of the European Union, United States and the Arab nations, as well as the peaceful participation of the Middle East, is important for renewing the peace process.

Paet stated that the European Union will continue to support the Palestinian Authority in building up state structures based on the reform plan of Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. “The aid of the European Union must help to increase the capability of the Palestinian administration to the point where it would be capable of fulfilling the tasks that stand before an independent nation,” stated the Estonian foreign minister.

*Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE
+372 637 7654
+372 521 3085
pressitalitus@mfa.ee