Among fresh Estonian MEPs, Andrus Ansip has been the most active at the two plenary meetings so far held in Strasbourg. Behind the name of Yana Toom, European Parliament website cites a curt «No activity». Underneath, Postimees publishes excerpts from what the deputies have said so far.
Andrus Ansip
• Tomorrow we will be able to vote for a more democratic Europe, the leadership of which will be appointed by elections by the people. We may approve it or reject it and return to backroom deals. We have but one chance to change the governance of Europe. Let’s not miss the opportunity.
• I call upon all my colleagues to support Jean-Claude Juncker as next president of the European Commission.
(July 14th, on upcoming voting on European Commission president)
• I welcome the line adopted in June regarding Ukraine by Council of the European Union. At the same time, I expect the council this week to take further steps regarding Russia. Activities by Russia have drastically altered European security environment. During the EU elections, this was the main worry for my electoral district and elsewhere. Business as usual cannot be continued with Russia as Russia is not having business as usual with Europe.
(July 15th, discussion over situation in Ukraine)
• Shift to use of euro in Lithuanian is a remarkable achievement both for that beautiful country and for our union. This serves to show that the monetary union stands on solid footing, that the work of all participants during times of crisis has been fruitful. This serves to show that eurozone membership is seen as prerequisite to growth and economic prosperity.
(July 15th, a discussion on adoption of the euro in Lithuania)
• I am convinced that each member state can take the best decisions on which system serves its interests. Member states are faced with differing demographic, economic, and social conditions. Even if in some aspects EU activities may be justified, these differences still need to be respected. Our legislative activities ought to focus on discussing digital single market and the energy union.
(July 15th, a discussion on pregnancy and motherhood holidays in EU states)
• Euro was and is useful for the ordinary citizen. During the Estonian kroon, 90 percent of loans were assumed in euros: now, these people no longer need to worry about currency risks.
(July 16th, a discussion on adoption of the euro in Lithuania, a written opinion)
• I firmly believe that the best weapon against unemployment is education. In Estonia, there is a strong correlation between unemployment and educational level – among the more highly educated, unemployment rate is lower. That serves to confirm that we ought the more to promote the EU educational programmes.
(July 16th, a discussion on youth employment, a written opinion)
Tunne Kelam
• We cannot deal with Ukraine without honestly tackling our relationship with Russia. Russia executed an aggression against Ukraine. The aggression is being continued by waging war via henchmen, to destabilise the policies of not Ukraine alone but of all our Eastern Neighbourhood.
(July 2nd, a discussion over conclusions by European Council)
• The main thing is for TTIP not just furthering the economies but that it would substantially boost the political relationships. The EU and the USA are the backbone of international democracy, and the leading powers of free and liberal world arena.
(July 15th, a discussion over Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP))
• In my opinion, responsibility also lies on the Iraqi government. During these past eight years, the al-Maliki government has not succeeded in forming a coalition which would involve all sectors of the Iraqi society. Instead, the Sunnis have been marginalised, the Kurds have been robbed of meaningful participation, and increasingly the country has leaned in Iran.
(July 16th, a discussion on the situation in Iraq)
• In my opinion we share the same concern and the fate of Christians in the Middle-East has not yet been decided.
(July 16th, a discussion over the situation in Iraq, the co-called blue-card reply)
• Lithuania was the third Baltic state joining the eurozone, reminding Europe that it takes political will and a dedication to European integration to perform structural reforms, ensure budget balance, and avoid using resources which one does not have.
(July 16th, a discussion on adoption of the euro by Lithuania, a written opinion)
In addition to that, Mr Kelam’s name stands on seven resolution proposals on foreign policy regarding Ukraine, Iraq, Sudan and Meriam Ibrahim, and Nigeria and Boko Haram.
Marju Lauristin
• What is happening there is a humanitarian crisis and a provocation which may be a pretext for Russian invasion. We all know how the pattern works. In my opinion, this is not the time to talk about what we did wrong; rather, it is the time to talk about what we can do, as fast as possible, to help Ukraine stabilise the situation and stop the provocations.
(July 15th, a discussion on the situation in Ukraine)
• I am especially delighted that this is happening now as, in the month to come, we are celebrating 25 years of the Baltic Chain. I am delighted that the Baltic Chain is connected again and that we are now connected in a new way, in a new Europe, and that we all agree to move forward together in a common Baltic and Nordic economic, political and value-based space.
(July 15th, a discussion on adoption of the euro by Lithuania)
In addition to that, Ms Lauristin’s name stands on two Ukraine-related resolution proposals.
Indrek Tarand
• It is high time for the European Union to start creating a single security and defence policy, the central mission of which, the Atalanta at the Horn of Africa, would need the very French Mistral platforms. Let us buy these from the government in Paris and use them in the true European spirit, but, for God’s sake, let’s don’t allow them to be sold to the aggressive Russia led autocratically by a former KGB officer.
(July 2nd, a discussion on conclusions by European Council)
• Ceterum censeo, the French will come to regret their decision to sell Mistrals to the aggression-loving authoritarian Russia.
(July 15th, a discussion following a speck by candidate for president for European Commission)
Kaja Kallas
• Lithuania being an open economy just like Estonia and Latvia, which have already joined the eurozone, their economy will benefit from joining a single currency space. Firstly, investors will be freed from currency risk and confidence will grow. Secondly, this will increase money inflow into local economy.
(July 16th, a discussion on adoption of the euro by Lithuania, a written opinion)