Ratas: We must use all opportunities to isolate Russia

President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas and President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades discussed bilateral cooperation and the situation in Ukraine at their meeting today.

Speaking of bilateral cooperation, Ratas underlined that Estonia was very interested in having closer cooperation with Cyprus, particularly in the digital sector, where Estonia could share its experience in building up e-governance, and in implementing the digital transition more widely. In his opinion, the two countries also have cooperation possibilities in tourism and marine sector.

As regards the tense situation in Ukraine, Ratas explained that the most important tasks of the West were to increase economic and political pressure on Russia and to give more support to Ukraine.

“Russia’s war in Ukraine has shown the countries of Europe that it is necessary to increase their economic independence and security,” Ratas said. “It is the duty of the Western countries to do everything in order to exert even more pressure on Russia through sanctions. Our aim should be to isolate Russia both politically and economically.”

Ratas pointed out that Ukraine also needed stronger military, economic and political support. “We support granting Ukraine the status of a candidate state of the European Union. Ukraine needs a clear EU perspective,” he added.

Chair of the Estonia-Cyprus Parliamentary Friendship Group Heljo Pikhof and Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Mihhail Lotman also participated in the meeting.

Source: Parliament of Estonia