Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 27 July 2016: Estonia will take over EU presidency in mid-2017

The Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas stated on July 27 that Estonia will assume the EU presidency earlier, having regard to the Brexit effect. Estonia's presidency will last from mid-2017 until 2018 . Mr Roivas specified that "Estonia will assume the presidency at a time when the EU is faced with making fundamental choices regarding its future. We shall manage the organising of the EU presidency half a year early just fine and we will not make any concessions on quality".

Originally, Estonia's presidency was set up for the first half of 2018. The Brexit effect had already made highly unlikely that the UK takes over the presidency, even during the separation process .

Finally, it does not appear as a surprise since Estonia was ready to cope with an expedited presidency. Moreover "preference is given to perform the presidency of the EU in the jubilee year of the Republic of Estonia" , stated Mr Roivas.