Stenbock House, 13 December 2023 – Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will attend the European Union-Western Balkans Summit taking place in Brussels on Wednesday, 13 December, and the European Council on 14–15 December. The main topics of the European Council are EU enlargement, continued support for Ukraine, and agreeing on a supplementary EU budget for the next four years.
According to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Estonia expects the upcoming Council meeting to issue an invitation to Ukraine and Moldova to open accession negotiations with the European Union. “Ukraine and Moldova have fulfilled all the conditions to start accession talks. We have a historic window of opportunity to bring new countries into the European economic and value area. Through enlargement, we will increase the prosperity of the countries that join us as well as of our people. It would also increase stability in Europe, because EU enlargement is also part of our defence and security policy,” the prime minister said.
Kallas stressed that Estonia, the European Union, and the rest of the allies must continue their long-term support for Ukraine until victory. “Long-term and sufficient military support, as well as financial and economic assistance, are essential. The stronger Ukraine is, the sooner Russia and Putin will reach their breaking point. The cost of our support is nothing compared to Ukraine’s efforts to counter Russian aggression and imperialism,” she said.
In addition, the heads of state and government of the EU will discuss issues related to European defence capabilities, migration, and the conflict in the Middle East.
The EU-Western Balkans Summit focuses on bringing the Western Balkans closer to the EU and on closer cooperation between the EU and the countries of the region.
