TALLINN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday hailed Estonia's willingness to take responsibility for Europe's cohesion.
Delivering a speech at the dinner hosted by Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid, Steinmeier said Estonia is playing a leading role in the European Union in the second half of this year when Estonia holds Presidency of the Council of the EU.
"The EU is not only intended to convey a feeling of equality, but to live this equality. Because real equality between the member states is no less than vital to the survival of the EU itself," Steinmeier said.
He added that small countries such as Estonia are needed at a time when populism and nationalism threaten the cohesion of the Union and when the transatlantic alliance is facing a difficult test, according to the speech on the German president office website.
Earlier, Steinmeier met with Kaljulaid to discuss bilateral relations, developments within the EU, and matters relating to security as well as the first Estonian presidency of the EU council.
Steinmeier also met with Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas on the key topics of the EU, security and defence cooperation, as well as the digital development of Europe.
Ratas emphasized that the countries of Europe had to keep making efforts to create security for their people, and to cooperate more, said a press release.
"The Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union started with a wave of optimism. The European economy is growing, unemployment is decreasing, and people are again supporting and trusting the EU more," Ratas was quoted as saying.
"However, recent events in Spain, Finland, Germany and France show that we have to make more efforts in creating security for the people. It means combatting terrorism, better control of the refugee flow on the Mediterranean, and cooperation with the close neighbours of Europe. And also the more effective returning of people who have no right to be in Europe to their home country," he added.
Ratas expressed his appreciation to Germany's contribution to the security of the Baltic States in air policing, cyber defence, joint operations and exercises, hailing close and constructive relations between the two countries.
Steinmeier was in Estonia for a two-day state visit.
