TALLINN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Estonian Foreign Minister Sven Mikser on Tuesday said that his country wishes to see a more effective, more capable Europe with a better future.
Delivering his annual speech at the Estonian parliament Riigikogu, Mikser said, "Maintaining people's faith and trust in Europe is of critical importance."
He expects Estonia to become one of the leaders of future development in the European Union (EU) to deepen cooperation with partners after the successful Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2017.
"As one of the EU's biggest net recipients and now a somewhat more affluent member state, Estonia has to be prepared to contribute a bit more," according to the Estonian foreign minister.
Speaking about security, Mikser said, "Just as important as NATO's military readiness is solidarity in the European Union, along with EU and NATO cooperation."
"Global issues, be they the climate or development, eradication of poverty, or better access to education, can be best resolved precisely through the UN," he noted, pointing out that Estonia is seeking a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2020-21 period.
Estonia has pledged to contribute 0.33 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to development aid by 2030 from the currently just under 0.2 percent, Mikser stated.
"Insofar as we need an open global economic environment for our further growth as an open economy, we continue efforts to enter into free trade agreements with all of our key partners," said Mikser, hailing access to the single market on the background of a free trade system based on World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
