The Earl of Carlisleasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will visit Estonia to open the new Embassy in Tallinn; and whether he will have discussions with Mr. Toomas Heindrik Ilve, Foreign Minister of Estonia, on the early accession of Estonia to the European Union. [HL2823]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe Foreign Secretary hopes to visit Tallinn on 26 July, when he will open the new British Embassy. During thus visit he will meet Foreign Minister Ilves; Estonia's progress in European Union accession negotiations is expected to be one of the topics of discussion.
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The Earl of Carlisleasked Her Majesty's Government:
When Estonia can expect to join the European Union. [HL2824]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe Government welcome Estonia's application to join the EU. Negotiations opened in March 1998. Estonia has opened 15 (of the 31) chapters of theacquis and provisionally closed about half of those. The Cologne European Council agreed to open all remaining chapters with the six countries in negotiations as early as possible next year. Estonia will be able to join the EU as soon as negotiations are finished and all member states have ratified the necessary amendments to the treaties. The EU has made financial provision for up to six new member states to join the EU between 2002–06 (Agenda 2000) but has not set target dates for accession. Nonetheless, the EU is committed to helping all applicants to join as soon as possible.