European Bishops meet upcoming Estonian president of EU

l-r: Mr Jüri Ratas, Bishop Jourdan, Fr Poquillon

Source: COMECE

A delegation from COMECE met in Tallinn on August 18 with the Estonian Prime Minister, Jüri Ratas, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Andres Anvelt, in order to discuss common concerns as well as the most urgent priorities of the Estonian presidency of the Council of the European Union.

COMECE was represented by Mgr Philippe Jourdan, Bishop of Tallin and first Catholic Bishop to be resident in Estonia since World War II, and General Secretary Fr Olivier Poquillon OP.

Together they expressed the concerns of Pope Francis for two of the most current topics, such as the effects of digitalization of the economy on employment, and chosen migration.

COMECE articulated a particular emphasis on the importance of investing in the youth in order to make it possible for the new European generations to become active citizens and grow culturally and professionally in their own country.

Together with Prime Minister Ratas, COMECE discussed also one of Tallinn’s major priorities for the Estonian Presidency, the EU Eastern Partnership. COMECE advocated for a stronger coperation and solidarity in the field of Security and Defence at the Eastern EU border.

The meeting defined once more the need to put the citizens at the centre of the EU policies. This is one of the principles on which Tallinn wants to base its Presidency of the Council of the EU, and an absolute priority for COMECE and the Catholic Church.

In this regard, exactly in the attempt to refresh European politics and placing the common good and the citizens at the heart of it, COMECE and the Holy See are organizing the upcoming major high-level forum of Dialogue 'Re-thinking Europe' which will be held at the Vatican, 27-29 October 2017.