The Estonian presidency of the Council of the EU is an opportunity for the ex-Soviet countries that have the most developed relations with the EU, namely Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, expert in political sciences Dionis Cenusa says in an opinion article for IPN.

The politologist analyzes the priorities of the Estonian presidency of the Council of the EU that refer to Moldova as well, namely the functioning of the visa-free regime, migration management and the Eastern Partnership.

According to Dionis Cenusa, first of all, Estonia intends to contribute to the institution of the new EU Entry-Exit System that applies both to the citizens from third countries who travel based on visas to the EU and to those who benefit from the visa-free regime.

The second aspect relevant to Moldova, which derives from the priorities of the Estonian presidency, is to finalize the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). One of the goals of the given system is to prevent illegal migration. The system envisions the payment of a tax of €5 by those older than 18 from third countries. The issued authorization is valid for five years.

The third aspect of interest is related to migration management and promotion of legal migration.  This way, Estonia plans to advance the discussions on the renewal of the EU Blue Card Directive on Legal Migration.

The last aspect is related to the fact that Estonian presidency intends to contribute to strengthening the relations between the six member states of the Eastern Partnership and the EU.

The politologist notes that the EU member states do not use to openly criticize the authorities of third countries. However, with the taking over of the presidency of the Council of the EU, Estonia could be forced by circumstances to level criticism at the government of Moldova.

In conclusion, the politologist reiterates that the benevolence and natural interest of Estonia cannot substitute the real progress in doing reforms, coherence and sincerity of national governments of the Eastern Partnership towards the own people and the EU.

Since July until the end of 2017, Estonia will be responsible for the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (which consists of representatives of national governments). So, Estonia is the second ex-Soviet county, after Latvia in 2015, that will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU.