Estonia/ Sweden – Visit by Amélie de Montchalin to Tallinn and Stockholm (1 – 2 Jul. 2020)

Amélie de Montchalin, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is visiting Estonia and Sweden from July 1 to 2.

This visit is taking place in the run-up to the European Council from July 17 to 18 in order to establish the conditions necessary for an ambitious agreement on the European recovery plan. The minister of state will reaffirm the importance of reaching an agreement in July in the face of the economic and social emergency and will underscore the need to include budgetary allocations of at least €500 billion in support of the sectors and regions most affected by the crisis. They will also discuss the next Multiannual Financial Framework, which must contribute to the recovery and make it possible to invest in European priorities, especially through packages promoting European sovereignty in such areas as the Common Agricultural Policy, defense and space. In this context, the budget must also be reviewed to ensure coherence with the EU’s political goals through the creation of new own resources consistent with our environmental goals.

This recovery must be part of a project to rebuild Europe, and the minister of state will therefore speak with her partners about holding the Conference on the Future of Europe as soon as possible, enabling citizens to take part in discussions on the lessons to be learned from the crisis.

Also on the agenda is the importance of properly coordinating border measures – more essential than ever for European countries as we emerge from the crisis – as well as strengthening European mechanisms to protect the rule of law.
In Tallinn, the minister of state will meet with Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu and her counterpart, Märt Volmer. A joint statement on European issues and a specific statement on French-Estonian cooperation on cybersecurity will also be adopted on this occasion.

In Stockholm, Amélie de Montchalin will meet with Foreign Minister Ann Linde and EU Affairs Minister Hans Dahlgren. She will also meet with Economy Minister Ibrahim Baylan and the Swedish business community.