Its chairmanship became possible six months earlier because of the UK decision to withdraw from the European Union. Estonia will serve as chairman for six months - from July to December 2017.

As explained on Tuesday, July 4, in Tallinn at the opening ceremony of the chairmanship of the head of the EU Donald Tusk, the commitments undertaken by the country is not just an organizational task for officials. Chairmanship is your collective leadership in these difficult but also encouraging times.. During the years of hard work and hardship, you have created yourself an authority and reputation that has become a good mandate for such leadership, - said Tusk.

In turn, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said at a press conference in Tallinn that the former prime minister of a small country himself guarantees that the presidencies of small member states always work out the best.

He also praised Estonia's slogan for the period of the EU Presidency's "Unity for Balance" and stressed that "unity manifests its real value in action".

Let us remind you that the Estonian presidency of the Council of the EU identifies four priorities for the period of its mandate: an open and innovative European economy, a secure and protected Europe, a digital Europe with free data circulation, a stable and open Europe.

As reported URA-Inform, the Council of the European Union on Wednesday, July 26, introduced changes in the rotation of the chairmanship of the EU member states until 2030. Changes are made in connection with the decision of the UK to withdraw from the EU.