FM Paet: Creation of EU-USA Energy Council Would Increase Security
23.09.2009
The European Union foreign ministers met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton within the framework of the 64th UN summit in New York and emphasised that ensuring European security is an important matter of EU-NATO co-operation. “Co-operation between the European Union and the United States is a priority for Estonia,” emphasised Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. “In order to adequately deal with today’s security challenges, we hope for NATO-European Union co-operation and co-ordination to increase on our territory, in important foreign missions, and in international organisations, including the UN and OSCE,” he added.
Paet stated that Estonia strongly supports the USA’s proposal to create an EU-USA energy council. “Energy supply issues are clearly also security issues. Establishing new energy connections with different European countries as well as creating new supply channels into Europe will increase Europe’s security, and it’s essential that the United States contributes to this as well,” emphasised Paet.
“The meaningful development of European Union Eastern Partnership is also in the interests of the European Union and the USA,” Paet stressed. “For the target countries, Eastern Partnership is an effective opportunity and means for reforms through which they can grow closer to the European Union and the United States,” he added.
The foreign ministers of the USA and the European Union also discussed activities in Afghanistan. “Unfortunately, our reasons for being involved in Afghanistan and contributing to Afghanistan’s reconstruction have not gone anywhere. We must continue to address the sources of narcotics dealing and terrorism,” emphasised the Estonian foreign minister. “A pre-requisite for achieving results in Afghanistan is the co-ordination of the European Union and USA’s activities in all essential matters. We should especially contribute together to building up rule of law in Afghanistan,” added Paet.
On Tuesday, 22 September the leaders of the European Union and United States that have gathered at the 64th UN summit in New York discussed the Middle East peace process, Iran, and preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, along with other various other facets of transatlantic co-operation.
