European Union Secretariat
European Union Secretariat (EUS), a subunit of the State Chancellery, is responsible for the overall coordination of European Union affaires in Estonia. The prime responsibilities of the EUS are following: - To support the Prime Minister in EU-related matters. EUS acts as a preparatory body and a think-tank for the Prime Minister and the Chief government advisor in EU affaires. It conducts analyses on different subject matters related to EU policies, and prepares background material for the Prime Minister.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, EUS leads the preparation of Estonia’s positions for the European Council and coordinates the national implementation of the Lisbon process. It also participates in preparation of Government’s positions in all councils, IGC, and EU external affaires. EUS ensures that the Estonian positions on different areas are compatible with the overall EU policy of the cabinet and of the Prime Minister.
- To ensure effective interministerial cooperation in EU affaires. As the line ministries are responsible for performing EU related tasks within their respective competencies (eg preparing positions for the council meetings, ensuring the implementation of EU legislation etc), effective interministerial coordination is necessary to ensure the coherence of Estonian EU policy. EUS prepares the meetings of the coordination council, an interministerial body which meets every week at the level of senior civil servants to discuss EU related matters (positions to commissions initiatives and those prepared for different council formations) and functions as a forum for intermediation and exchange of information between the ministries. EUS sets the agenda and monitors the implementation of its decisions.
The coordination council is chaired by the chief government advisor in EU matters or (in case of his/her absence by the head of EUS). EUS also facilitates interministerial cooperation by organizing ad hoc meetings on different subject matters. EUS administers the interministerial database of EU related documents and ensures the rapid and timely dissemination of EU documents to relevant government bodies. Besides those main functions, EUS has several additional tasks, such as informing the Commission about the transposition of EU legislation to national legislation.
Address:
Rahukohtu 3
15161, Tallinn
Estonia Phone:+372 693 5200
Fax: +372 693 5204
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Government Communication Office
Coordination of domestic EU related communication is one of the tasks of the Government Communication Office. The EU information counsellors are responsible for communicating to general public the aims and activities of the Estonian Government in the EU, the rights and responsibilities related to EU membership. The EU information counsellors coordinate the network of regional EU information centres and initiate domestic public relations campaigns to introduce the EU related projects, activities and decisions. Support for participation of citizens in EU decision making process is part of the government communication.
Address:
Rahukohtu 3
15161, Tallinn
Estonia Phone:+372 6935 729
Fax: +372 6935 957
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