From: Merle Kruusimägi <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2026 12:37 PM
To: ČERNIAVSKIENĖ Donata <[email protected]>
Cc: Maido Ruusmann <[email protected]>; Urmas Kruuse <[email protected]>; Maaelukomisjoni staff <[email protected]>; Riigikogu Kantselei <[email protected]>; MATULEVIČIENĖ Augustė <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Vilnius Declaration: Signature process

Dear Donata,

Thank you for your message and for the clarification regarding the coordination process.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Committee on Rural Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania for taking the initiative to bring together the relevant parliamentary committees and for preparing the Vilnius Declaration. We highly value this effort and the constructive cooperation throughout the process.

We also appreciate that Estonia's first proposal was considered in the revised text. Furthermore, we agree with many of the Declaration's objectives and share the commitment to strengthening European agriculture, ensuring food security and supporting a successful enlargement process.

However, after careful consideration, we have concluded that Estonia will not be in a position to sign the Declaration. As previously explained, certain provisions of the text, particularly those relating to the EU-MERCOSUR agreement, transitional periods and compensation measures, differ from Estonia's official positions as approved by both the Government of the Republic and the Riigikogu. In these circumstances, we regret that we are not in a position to endorse the Declaration in its current form.

We nevertheless wish to thank the Committee on Rural Affairs of the Seimas and all participating delegations for their efforts and engagement in this initiative. We wish you every success in your future work and look forward to continuing constructive cooperation on issues related to the Common Agricultural Policy and the future enlargement of the European Union.

Kind regards,

Merle Kruusimägi

On behalf of Mr Urmas Kruuse

Chair of the Rural Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu