“If the European Union wishes to maintain a leading global role and to defend Europe’s security, Member States must also focus on the countries in our immediate vicinity – those to the east and south,” President Karis remarked. “How our neighbours are doing has a direct impact on how we do, as does the strength of their security. War, conflicts and dependence on unreliable partners undermine the security not only of our neighbours, but also of the European Union. This is why we must contribute more to the Eastern Partnership, to the integration of the western Balkans and to the Southern Neighbourhood. All of the countries around us that wish to join the union or enter into a close partnership with it must be given the chance to do so. This is every bit as important as the economic and energy independence of EU nations and reliable connections between Member States and neighbouring countries.”
With his counterparts from 12 other Member States, President Karis will be discussing security in countries to the east and south of the EU, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the global role of the European Union. They will also be talking about the options open to the EU in reducing global inequality, including in the fields of health care, vaccination, education, mobility, the environment and living standards.
While in Valletta President Karis will also be meeting separately with his Italian and Slovakian counterparts, Sergio Mattarella and Zuzana Čaputová. He will be talking with both about bilateral relations, European security, continued support for Ukraine and pressuring Russia to end the war.
President Karis’ wife Sirje Karis will be taking part in the programme for the spouses of the heads of state attending the Arraiolos Group meeting.
The Arraiolos Group is the name given to a series of informal meetings that started in 2003 which are attended by heads of state who are not involved in the work of the European Council. This year’s meeting, the 17th in the series, is to be attended by the presidents of Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia.
President Karis will be returning to Estonia on Friday.
