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Co-ordination of EU issues in Estonia In order to ensure efficient participation in the EU decision-making process, Estonia has adopted a relatively decentralised and flexible EU co-ordination system. The overall responsibility for co-ordinating EU issues in the Government lies with the Prime Minister , who acts as the highest political arbitrator, chairs the Government meetings and represents Estonia in European Council meetings. The Prime Minister is supported by the director of EU affaires and the EU Secretariat (EUS) of the Government Office. The Government adopts EU policies, sets priorities, discusses all potentially sensitive issues and at its weekly sessions endorses Estonian positions for the EU Council meetings and for those Commission proposals, which require amendment of Estonian legislation or have significant financial impact once adopted. Line ministries are responsible for performing EU related tasks within their respective competencies: they are responsible for the preparation of Estonia’s positions and instructions at the working group level, for the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER), and for different councils. Issues concerning several ministries are discussed in ad hoc or permanent working groups, which reflect the structure of the Council working bodies, by the relevant ministries. Coordination Council of EU issues ensures effective inter-ministerial cooperation. It is chaired by the director of EU affaires (in case of his/her absence by the head of EUS) and is comprised of representatives of all the ministries and the Bank of Estonia. The main tasks of the inter-ministerial group are following: discussing Estonian positions in EU decision-making and preparing Government meetings concerning the EU issues, monitoring implementation of the acquis, dealing with horizontal coordination issues and exchanging information on acute EU issues. The EU Secretariat of the Government Office, which works under the Prime Minister, supports and advises the Prime Minister and the Government on various EU issues. The Secretariat prepares the meetings of the above mentioned Coordination Council, coordinates preparation of Estonian positions for the Government meetings, monitors the harmonisation of the acquis, maintains the EU document management system and co-ordinates the inter-ministerial Lisbon Process working group. The Foreign Ministry (MFO) , besides fulfilling the tasks of a line ministry, plays an essential role in coordinating and compiling COREPER (Committee of Permanent Representatives) positions. The EU Co-ordination Division is responsible for the timely preparation of instructions prepared by ministries for the weekly COREPER meetings. The Foreign Ministry also plays an important role in disseminating information on Estonian positions to other European Union Member States through the embassies and in working out political solutions together with the Prime Minister’s office (EU Secretariat). The Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU is an important liaison for the Estonian Government in Brussels representing Estonia’s interests mainly in the Council and co-operating with other EU institutions. Riigikogu (the Parliament) is also an important player in the Estonian EU co-ordination system. It has a standing European Union Affairs Committee, which consists of 15 members representing all parliamentary parties and line committees. The EU affaires committee monitors closely the Government's participation in the EU decision-making process. Moreover, all positions of the Government on strategic EU issues have to be approved by the EU Affairs Committee. According to the same statute, the Government will present to the Committee all EU draft legislation, which after adoption would require the amendment of national legislation or would have a significant economic or social impact. 
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