What Jüri spoke about.

22

May

2025

Speeches ET

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Choose Europe for Science (debate)

Dear President, Dear colleagues, Commission. I strongly support the idea that science must be at the heart of European policy if we are to ensure our future and competitiveness. Science is like a flowing river that feeds our entire society, our economy and our future. If we do not take care of this river, it will dry up and with it our progress will be blocked. We cannot allow this issue to remain an empty slogan in the European Union. We need to get things done quickly. European science is important for our competitiveness, security and prosperity. Europe must become a leader in science. We must be at the forefront of innovation and also support researchers from other countries to operate in Europe. I also know this from the Estonian experience. Our science landscape is world-class, but our researchers, universities and research institutions need stronger support, more investment so that they can continue to develop cutting-edge solutions in Europe and realise their dreams here. Thank you!

7

May

2025

Speeches EN

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The role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season (debate)

Mr President, colleagues, Commissioner, gas storage is not just a technical issue; it is a strategic pillar of our energy security. For countries like Estonia and our Baltic neighbours, the level of gas storage and connectivity can often mean the difference between stability and vulnerability. In recent years, we have seen the crucial role that storage facilities have played in times of crisis. Thanks to strong EU coordination by the previous Energy Commissioner, we reached over 90 % of our storage capacity before last winter. That effort helped keep our homes warm and our industries running. Gas storage must remain part of a broader security framework. We must fully eliminate Russian gas from our energy system, while increasing LNG imports from renewable and trustworthy global partners. We need continued investment in cross-border infrastructure, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. But security alone is not enough. Our gas policy must also reflect market principles and find the right balance between security and flexibility in order to bring down gas prices in Europe. Storage, LNG terminals and interconnectors must function as a coherent system, supported by smart regulation.

6

May

2025

Speeches EN

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Protecting Greenland's right to decide its own future and maintain the rule-based world order (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, High Representative, the people of Greenland are not asking for much – simply to remain who they are. They do not want to become Americans, they want to stay Greenlanders. In recent years, geopolitical interest in Greenland has grown rapidly, not because of its population, but because of its land, which is full of minerals and rare earth elements that are vital for green technologies. But land is not just a resource to be acquired – it is home. And sovereignty is not something to be traded. As Europeans, we must stand firmly in support of the rule-based world order, and that means respecting the right of Greenland to determine its own path, free from pressure, influence or ambitions from any great power. As an Estonian, I know what it means to live under the shadow of a larger power. I also know what it means to resist the shadow. Let us not forget, small nations have voices too. And those voices must be heard.

6

May

2025

Speeches ET

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A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU (debate)

Dear President, Dear colleagues and Commissioner, Trade relations between the European Union and the United States have been an integral part of our strength for years. Last year, bilateral trade in goods reached an impressive eight hundred and sixty-five billion euros. We are also bound by common values: democracy, the rule of law and the market economy. Potential tariff-setting threatens to crack our cooperation. There is still a lot of confusion at the moment, but offense and emotions must not dominate at the moment. Europe must remain united and firm. As a representative of Estonia, a small open economy, I will say clearly: We need rules-based trade, not arbitrary customs walls. At the same time, we cannot allow our companies and workers to come under unfair pressure. I support the European Commission's efforts to find the best solution through negotiations. At the same time, we need to strengthen our internal market, reduce strategic dependencies and build new international partnerships.

12

Mar

2025

Speeches EN

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Accelerating the phase-out of Russian gas and other Russian energy commodities in the EU (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, Commissioner, Russia's brutal and illegal war against Ukraine has continued for the fourth year, but Europe still depends on Russian gas. It is unacceptable that imports of LNG from Russia to the European Union have even increased, reaching record levels earlier this year. By continuing to buy Russian cars, Europe is giving the Kremlin billions of dollars that it can use to finance its evil deeds against humanity. It is well known that Moscow is using the money to bomb Ukraine, its cities and villages, its homes and people, hospitals and infrastructure. Those EU countries that continue to import Russian cars are also responsible for this. This must stop. We must do whatever it takes to weaken the Russian war machine.

11

Mar

2025

Speeches ET

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Clean Industrial Deal (debate)

Dear President, dear colleagues, Commissioner, I have been Prime Minister of Estonia for 4 years and have repeatedly spoken with pride about how much is good in Estonia. Smart and well-educated people, fierce digital solutions, open to innovation, rapid economic growth. The last three years have been difficult for Estonia. The war in Ukraine, Russia's hybrid attacks and insecurity. Energy prices have multiplied, consumer prices have increased by forty-four per cent in four years. This has undermined the competitiveness of our companies. I am convinced that our industry needs a positive boost. A clean industrial plan can provide the necessary impetus. I strongly support ensuring affordable and secure energy supply for Estonia. This is essential for Europe. Faced with the threat of war, we need a tremendous effort both to build a common European external border and to develop the defence industry. And thirdly, Estonia needs more smart and well-paid jobs. Smart, skilled and well-educated people are our contribution. Europe must be able to harness this resource. Estonia needs more investment and no country in the European Union must remain on the periphery of our plans.

21

Jan

2025

Speeches ET

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Need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet, damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea (debate)

Dear President, Commissioner, Dear colleagues! Russia is using the shadow fleet to finance its war machine. Recently, these vessels have increasingly damaged the infrastructure of the European Union countries at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. The Russian shadow fleet poses an increasingly clear threat to the security, economy and environment of the European Union. These ships operate in the shadows, but they must bear the consequences. The intentional destruction of cables, gas pipelines and other infrastructure objects is a criminal offence and the commission of such a criminal offence must be precluded. Sabotage and attacks in the Baltic Sea must stop. NATO is already protecting critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea in a targeted manner, using more patrol planes, warships and drones. The European Union must also increase its control capacity. We see that these ships often change names and flags. Let's all be vigilant about what they do at sea. They don't have insurance. The risks associated with their activities are significant. We will increase our ability to respond to such threats.

26

Nov

2024

Speeches ET

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Reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia (debate)

13

Nov

2024

Speeches ET

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Georgia's worsening democratic crisis following the recent parliamentary elections and alleged electoral fraud (debate)

Mr President, I would like to thank you very much. Dear Commissioner, It is my pleasure to speak my own language for the first time. Georgia belongs to Europe, but we are losing Georgia. What is happening there is worrying. The democratic principles that Georgia was on its way to respecting are under serious threat from aggressive Russian influence. The parliamentary elections, which were supposed to confirm the will of the people and Georgia's pro-European course, have unfortunately exacerbated the country's withdrawal from this path. We cannot ignore such a situation. We must ask whether the European Union should continue its support for Georgia in a situation where democratic values are collapsing. Restoring the visa requirement must be considered and we should do so selectively – targeting sanctions against oligarchs and abusers of power, but not punishing ordinary citizens. The European Union must not leave the Georgian people alone, but we must not allow our support to go to those who abuse power and turn Georgia away from European values. For the same reason, we must suspend all development cooperation with the Georgian authorities, but continue to support, for example, independent media.

22

Oct

2024

Speeches EN

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General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 – all sections (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, recently the need to improve Europe's competitiveness has been a central topic. Even Draghi's report has highlighted the urgent need for Europe to strengthen its position in the global economy. If we are serious about this goal, we must prioritise investment in research, innovation and technological development. The EU budget for 2025 must reflect this commitment. Our ability to keep pace with global leaders like the United States and China depends on it. The counterproposal to reduce research funding by EUR 450 million is not sustainable. It threatens our innovative capacity and also weakens our competitiveness. By investing in science, we can provide our industries the opportunity to take the lead in high-value sectors and create new jobs. I believe we should support the increase in research and development funding to 3 % of GDP.

8

Oct

2024

Speeches EN

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Strengthening Moldova's resilience against Russian interference ahead of the upcoming presidential elections and a constitutional referendum on EU integration (debate)

Mr President, honourable Members, dear colleagues, in 2022, Moldova took the important step of becoming a candidate country for EU membership. It was a bold move by a nation that has long-faced manipulation and pressure from Russia, with parts of its territory still under occupation. Moldova's European path is not just a political choice, but a commitment to freedom and democracy. The EU has a crucial role in supporting Moldova's path. The war in Ukraine also directly affects democratic and independent Moldova and its road to EU accession. What Moldova is facing right now is not an isolated attack. It is a threat to all nations striving for democracy and peace. As we approach Moldova's presidential elections and referendum, we can be certain that Russia escalates hybrid warfare tactics. Russian propaganda, disinformation campaigns and attempts to disrupt democratic processes will increase in the coming weeks. The responsibility also lies with Moldova itself to ensure that the upcoming elections and referendum are free, fair and democratic. As Moldova navigates a crucial period, we must be more ambitious with our assistance.