Estonia’s EU Council Presidency and G20 priorities debated in plenary
MEPs discussed the priorities of the incoming Estonian Presidency with Prime Minister Jüri Ratas on Wednesday and gave their input on the July G20 summit in Hamburg.
MEPs welcomed the focus of the Estonian EU Council Presidency on boosting innovation and taking advantage of opportunities that the digital revolution offers. They stressed that migration, climate change, safety and security, and social inequality are the key issues that citizens want addressed. They also urged the Presidency to continue to fight tax avoidance and for more engagement with regions beyond EU borders.
Video recordings of statements by Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, Commission Vice President Andrus Ansip and MEPs speaking on behalf of political groups:
Jüri Ratas, for the Estonian Presidency (part 1)
Jüri Ratas, for the Estonian Presidency (part 2)
Jüri Ratas, for the Estonian Presidency (part 3)
Jüri Ratas, for the Estonian Presidency (part 4)
Andrus Ansip, for the Commission
Dimitrios Papadimoulis (GUE/NGL, EL)
Josep-Maria Terricabras (Green/EFA, ES)
Video recording of the full debate (05.07.2017)
G20 summit
In the discussion on G20 summit priorities, MEPs stressed that, in the spirit of former chancellor Helmut Kohl, the upcoming G20 should allow countries to always keep the conversation open and seek solutions. The G20 is also an opportunity for the EU to lead on how to create fair globalisation, they said.
Climate change, global trade and employment were among the topics debated with Council and Commission in preparation of the G20 meeting to be held in Hamburg 7-8 July. Migration and refugee flows and counter-terrorism are also on the agenda of the world leaders’ meeting.
