Ratas discusses NATO, Kaljulaid's OECD candidacy with US secretary of state
Prime Minister Jüri Ratas and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed NATO, U.S.-Estonian relations, the Three Seas Initiative and President Kersti Kaljulaid's potential OECD candidacy on Thursday evening.
The U.S. State Department's spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said: "Secretary Pompeo and Prime Minister Ratas discussed the importance of the U.S.-Estonian partnership within the NATO Alliance and international organizations. The Secretary thanked Estonia for its leadership on the Three Seas Initiative, an effort that will contribute to economic growth and energy security in Europe."
Pleased to speak with Estonian Prime Minister @ratasjuri today to discuss economic cooperation and regional security. We appreciate Estonia's commitment to working with us bilaterally and through international organizations to advance our shared values and goals.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 3, 2020
Ratas tweeted after phone call that they had also discussed the situation in Belarus. They also discussed President Kersti Kaljulaid's possible candidacy for Secretary General of the OECD.
In my phone call with @SecPompeo we discussed the excellent relations between #Estonia ???????? and #US ????????, our defence co-operation, situation in #Belarus, the #ThreeSeasInitiative and #OECD. US is a crucial ally for Estonia and for the whole transatlantic community. pic.twitter.com/YuaBprFlJS
— Jüri Ratas (@ratasjuri) September 3, 2020
Johannes Merilai, the head of the Prime Minister's Office, told ERR the phone call was it was an exchange of information, as the USA also has its own candidate for the post of Secretary General of the OECD.
Kaljulaid may run for the position of Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with a starting date of summer of 2021.
As far as ERR is aware, Ratas has also spoken to several heads of state to try and find support for Kaljulaid's candidacy.
Taavi Linnamäe, the President's Public Relations Adviser, previously told ERR Kaljulaid has agreed that the suitability of her candidacy can be discussed.
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Editor: Helen Wright