Estonia's Foreign Minister says “it's up to every nation to decide its future” while always “taking into account the existing laws”

Brussels (CNA).- The Foreign Affairs Minister of Estonia, Marina Kaljurand, said in an interview with CNA that “it’s up to each and every nation to decide their future” but warned Catalonia that “international law, the constitution and laws of each and every nation have to be respected”. Kaljurand avoided commenting on whether or not the Catalan situation needs international mediation but said that its solution “could be reached only by taking into account the existing laws and regulations and constitutions”. The head of the Estonian diplomatic service, a former diplomat herself, said that she has never received “pressure” or been “lobbied” by Spain or Catalonia on the issue. According to her, the Western position on independence is “very clear, reasonable and balanced” as it supports “the present legal order”. 

Minister Marina Kaljurand, who was ambassador of Estonia in the United States, Russia and Israel before taking office, argues that her country “with 1.3 million people is very important in the European Union and NATO”. “We have capabilities that other bigger countries do not have, for example, we are very good on specific issues such as cybersecurity, e-services and e-freedom”, she stated.

As opposed as to what Spanish President Mariano Rajoy usually says, that only big states succeed in the world, Kaljurand asserted that small countries can also be successful. “In the 21st century what is important is efficiency, no corruption, and open and transparent governance”, she pointed out. During the interview, she warned that the European Union will have to “discuss” whether or not to sanction Spain for not meeting its deficit targets. “In Estonia we have a very Lutheran approach: when we join international organisations we fulfil all the obligations that are introduced”, she said. “In all organisations we think that it is very important to fulfil the commitments that have been decided by those organisations”, she stressed.

Asked whether or not the pro-independence movement in Catalonia concerns the Estonian government, she replied that it doesn’t. “Does it concern Estonia? Well, not really. It’s up to each and every nation to decide their future”, she said. For her, it is “very difficult” to comment on whether or not Spain should do like the United Kingdom with Scotland and allow an independence referendum in Catalonia. “I don’t want to comment on that”, she insisted, pointing out instead the need to “obey international law” and the particular regulations of each country.

“I can’t say that I’m receiving pressure or that I’ve been lobbied”, she stated, when asked about the diplomatic campaign initiated by both Catalonia and Spain to present to the international community their arguments for and against the right of the Catalans to become independent. “But I think the Western position is very clear, very reasonable and very balanced, and it supports the present legal order and the law and order that exists in international law as well as in countries”, she concluded.