Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who is on a working visit to Braga, participated in a discussion on important energy questions related to the security of the European Union with the other heads of state at the meeting of the Arraiolos Group; the topics included energy independence from Russia and possible alternative solutions for the countries' energy supplies, reports BC the President's Office.

Speaking about Europe's energy independence, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves noted that, in light of the events in the south and east – in North Africa, Iraq and Ukraine – the field of energy security requires heightened attention.
 
"If until now, we were able to speak about the need to improve energy security in a theoretical context without any time pressure, then the current political situation requires decisive action on our part," President Ilves said. "Dependence on Russia's gas, coal and oil is a field of activity that is clearly related to the security of all European countries, which means that a pan-European approach is needed for finding a solution."