Our autumn tradition continues! We welcomed Estonia’s ambassadors to EU and @NATO countries, alongside colleagues from Tallinn, to Brussels. Kyllike Sillaste-Elling, Katrin Juhandi and Julika Luts set the scene with perspectives from Coreper II, Coreper I and the PSC on the EU’s priorities and the negotiations ahead. We discussed the next EU budget, sustained support for Ukraine, continued pressure on Russia and opening all accession clusters with Ukraine and Moldova. Competitiveness and the single market also featured, alongside Arctic security and the EU’s security strategy. 🧵

Equality, quality jobs and tackling poverty were at the heart of today’s EPSCO Council in Luxembourg, where COREPER I Ambassador @katrinjuhandi represented Estonia. Our message was clear: Europe must stand firm on equal treatment, equal opportunities and gender equality. These commitments must hold through challenging times, in our actions and in the language we use. Strong equality bodies, consistent implementation of existing EU law and agreement on the Equal Treatment Directive remain essential. On the Quality Jobs Act, we called for modernisation and regulation only in case there is clear added value. Bringing more people into work and reducing poverty are shared European goals. Common targets and coordinated action should give Member States room to choose the tools that work best. With Katrin and her colleagues around the table, women’s leadership was part of the picture, too.

At today’s ENVI meeting, Estonia’s Minister of Energy and the Environment Erkki Keldo stressed that Europe must lead in reducing emissions while remaining competitive, secure and resilient. Estonia supports a predictable, stable and fair ETS that provides investment certainty, reflects realistic technological progress and allows flexibility for Member States. Our goal: reduce emissions while ensuring a fair transition for all regions of Europe.

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) met in Brussels on 28–29 September. Ambassador @katrinjuhandi represented Estonia. For Estonia, local food production is essential to crisis preparedness. The future CAP must reflect different farm structures while supporting the farmers who contribute most to food security. We continue supporting Ukraine’s agricultural trade and path to EU membership. That means finding routes for Ukrainian grain through EU ports while blocking grain stolen by Russia. On fisheries, EU support should help replace ageing vessels with safer, more energy-efficient ones under practical investment rules. We welcome today’s agreement in the Council and look forward to concluding negotiations on the next MFF.

At today’s COMPET meeting, our Ambassador @katrinjuhandi stressed that Europe’s economic security depends on making clear distinctions between partners: we must deepen cooperation with those we trust while reducing exposure to high-risk countries. Chips Act 2.0 should help turn European innovation into products and investment by supporting the entire semiconductor value chain. As the EU reviews ETS, competitiveness must remain central and the system must reflect our technological readiness, investment cycles and carbon leakage risks.

Today, Estonians in Brussels rolled up their sleeves for World Cleanup Day, doing our part for a cleaner Brussels and a cleaner world 🇪🇪🇧🇪🌍 The movement began in Estonia in 2008, when 50,000 people, 4% of our population, cleaned up the entire country in a single day. Today, it brings together millions of people around the globe. World Cleanup Day is about more than collecting litter. It is about taking responsibility for the places where we live, and showing what can happen when people act together. Watch the video to discover some of our most interesting finds today!

Today, senior Estonian officials visited the @EU_Commission to discuss how to translate Europe’s priorities into action: unwavering support for Ukraine, stronger European security and a next EU budget that reflects today’s geopolitical realities. Competitiveness, economic security and the Clean Industrial Deal must reinforce one another, while merit-based EU enlargement remains a strategic investment in Europe’s security and prosperity. A particular pleasure to meet Estonia’s own HR/VP @kajakallas. 🇪🇪🇪🇺

We hosted a seminar today on draining fuel from Russia’s war machine which fuels its war against Ukraine. Europe must enforce sanctions, trade restrictions and complete the phase-out of Russian energy. Energy security is European security.

Today, we bid farewell to Siim Kallas, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Estonia and Vice-President of the European Commission. The Estonian flag flies with a mourning ribbon in honour of his contribution to Estonia’s independence, democracy and place in Europe.

Siim Kallas made an important contribution to restoring our independence, building our free state, and strengthening our place in Europe. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

Europe’s problem isn’t too little regulation, it’s far too much. The EU must cut red tape and reporting burdens so businesses can invest more in people’s skills, education and lifelong learning, and stay competitive globally. Minister Erkki Keldo ahead of today’s EPSCO Council

Europe must move fast to build its own education-focused AI, because general-purpose tools from big corporations are not fit for the classroom. Kristina Kallas, Minister for Education and Research of Estonia, ahead of today’s Education and Youth Council. newsroom.consilium.europa.eu…

Still buzzing from an amazing Europe Day 🇪🇺 at the EU Council yesterday. Thousands stopped by to discover Estonia 🇪🇪, from our legendary ice roads to our digital society where so much can be done online. Loved the curiosity and great conversations all day. 1/3

Doors open at 10 am! We’re all set to welcome you to celebrate Europe Day with us and other member states today at EU Council. Come discover Estonia, our nature, our stories, and if you’re lucky, you’ll even get to plant a tree to remember the day.