Estonian PM re Brexit: EU decisions must be explained to people
Commenting on the UK decision to leave the European Union, Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas said that every country is obliged to provide exhaustive explanations of all EU decisions domestically which will also ensure popular support for the EU.
It is always very easy to start looking for culprits in such issues, Roivas told reporters on Monday. Many are now saying the EU itself is to blame for what happened. "Nevertheless, I find that such accusations are not appropriate," Roivas said.
He stressed that the EU is an important project both economically, creating an internal market of 500 million people, as well as a security policy architect and shaper of values. "The strengths of the EU are bigger by far than the possible weaknesses attributed to the EU," Roivas said.
In his words, the EU should not be blamed for things that can be solved through internal policy and this is something it pays for politicians to learn. Estonia has maintained this line in all the 12 years it has been a member of the EU, the head of the government said.
The EU is an association of 28 states and its members decide themselves which choices are made, Roivas said. Sometimes the decisions are unpopular, but when it is explained to the people why they are made popular support for the EU can be preserved. "Estonians' support for the EU is a sign that we have taken the trouble to explain to the people why we make one or another decision," he said.
Source: BNS