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Estonia EU Presidency to focus on security, migration, economy

Estonia's ambassador to the EU, Kaja Tael
Estonia's ambassador to the EU, Kaja Tael
BRUSSELS, June 26 (KUNA) -- Estonia takes over the rotating Presidency of the European Union (EU) from Malta on 1 July .
Estonia's ambassador to the EU, Kaja Tael, outlined the priorities of the incoming EU Presidency during a press conference on Monday, saying the flagship of the six-month EU Presidency will be the contribution to security in Europe.
Only by acting together and preserving its unity on the global stage can the EU keep its citizens safe and promote peace, prosperity and stability, she stressed.
Estonia will focus on strengthening the fight against terrorism and organized crime, strengthening the internal security as well as the protection of the EU's external borders by improving cooperation among EU member states, she stated.
The Estonia EU Presidency will continue the work tackling the migration crisis and reforming the Common European Asylum System.
However, Tael clarified that the European External Action Service (EEAS) led by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini is responsible for EU foreign and security policy , but the EU Presidency will support all efforts by Mogherini on external and security issues. A top priority of the Estonian Presidency will be promoting a digital Europe and the free movement of data, she underlined saying Europe must exploit the benefits of technological progress that is bringing continuous change to citizens, businesses and governments.
Estonia has a population of only 1.3 million but it ranks first in the EU as regards the use of public digital (e-government) services. 88.4 percent of the population use the internet daily. (end) nk.msa