Foreign Affairs Committee calls to consider participation in Expo 2025 in Osaka

The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson sees participation in the Expo as an excellent opportunity for Estonia to raise its global visibility as a developed, attractive, and secure country. “An argument made by members of the Committee was that as a small nation, we do not have the luxury to not do this. This is why the Committee will make a proposal to consider our participation at Expo 2025 at the governmental level, in consideration both of the benefits arising from this as well as the economic, foreign, and security policy implications of Estonia’s absence,” he said.

Mihkelson explained that 153 countries had already announced their participation at the Expo, including all the other EU Member States. “The World Expo is not one show among the many; participation there is directly linked to Estonia’s image,” he said, adding that this was why the decision should be taken from the ministerial level to the governmental level. “We also strongly advise the government to hear the opinions of business organisations.”

Also present at the discussion in the Foreign Affairs Committee were Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Economic and Development Affairs Mariin Ratnik, Estonia’s Ambassador to Japan Väino Reinart, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications Deputy Secretary General for Economic Development Sille Kraam, Estonian Business and Innovation Agency Head of Export Department Eva-Kristiina Ponomarjov, Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Director General Mait Palts, and Estonian Employers’ Confederation Managing Director Arto Aas.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
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Link uudisele: Foreign Affairs Committee calls to consider participation in Expo 2025 in Osaka

Source: Parliament of Estonia