Ratas said that it is customary for the head of government of the country holding the EU presidency to visit as many member states as possible prior to the term in order to introduce their country's priorities during the presidency and discuss possibilities for increased cooperation, according to a government press release.

"Visiting member states before the presidency is a great opportunity to introduce to our colleagues the priorities of our presidency, but also to hear the expectations and thoughts of other countries for the following half a year," said Ratas, adding that topics of key importance to Estonia and the country being visited would also be discussed.

The prime minister will begin his foreign visit on Monday by traveling to Bratislava, where he will meet with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. Later on Monday he will continue to Budapest, where he will meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

On Tuesday, Ratas will head to Prague to meet with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Bohuslav Sobotka, after which he will travel to Ljubljana, where he will meet with Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar.

On Wednesday, Ratas will continue to Bucharest, where he will meet with Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu and President Klaus Iohannis.

Following each meeting, the Estonian prime minister will give a press conference together with each country's respective prime minister.

Ratas is scheduled to return to Estonia on Wednesday afternoon.