Government of the Republic of Estonia

02/12/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/12/2026 02:07

Prime Minister Michal to attend the European Council meeting and the Munich Security Conference

Stenbock House, 11 February 2026 - This week, Prime Minister Kristen Michal will travel to Belgium for an informal European Council meeting and then to the Munich Security Conference, where he will participate in several meetings and a panel discussion on competitiveness.

"The superpower of Europe is our single market. In both Belgium and Munich, the focus of discussions will be on the competitiveness of Europe. When the internal market of Europe is open, capital moves freely, and the rules are simple, it gives us an advantage. This is what we are working towards both at home and in Europe," said the Prime Minister. "The discussion on how to make Europe stronger by increasing our security and competitiveness will continue after the European Council meeting at the Munich Security Conference," he added.

On Thursday, 12 February, an informal European Council meeting will take place, with a strategic brainstorming session focusing on the competitiveness of Europe, strengthening the single market, and reducing economic dependency. Discussions at the Alden Biesen Castle will also include Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy, and Mario Draghi, former President of the European Central Bank and Prime Minister of Italy, who prepared reports in 2024 on the future of the EU single market and competitiveness.

On Friday, 13 February, Michal will head to the Munich Security Conference. On the first day of the conference, the Prime Minister will meet with Maia Sandu, President of Moldova, and participate in a meeting focused on Ukraine, hosted by Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany.

On Saturday, 14 February, the three Baltic prime ministers will meet Merz. Michal will also participate in several bilateral meetings and attend the Ewald von Kleist Award ceremony, which is held in honour of the founder of the conference. This year, the Ewald von Kleist Award will be presented to the brave people of Ukraine as a deep expression of gratitude and recognition for their unwavering determination and selflessness in defending their country and Europe.

On Sunday, 15 February, Kristen Michal will take the stage at the conference for a panel discussion on competitiveness titled "All the Single Markets: From Fragmentation to Competitiveness". The discussion, moderated by Jamil Anderlini, the regional director of Politico Europe, will also feature Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, and Karsten Wildberger, Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation of Germany.

Government Communication Unit

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