Permanent Representation of Estonia to NATO :: News

Estonian Prime Minister visits NATO Headquarters

Wed, 18 May 2011 09:54:28 GMT

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet: Georgia is Important Partner to NATO

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:59:06 GMT

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet to Participate in NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 07:46:21 GMT

Foreign Minister Paet: NATO-Led Mission Will Remain in Libya Until Gadhafi Regime Ends Violence Against Citizens

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 07:43:14 GMT

Estonia Highly Values NATO-Georgia Partnership Relations

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 07:43:38 GMT

Estonia Supports Transferring Responsibility for Security to Afghanistan

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 07:42:41 GMT

Secretary General and Estonian President pledge to keep momentum after Lisbon

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 08:01:26 GMT

Visit to NATO by Estonian President Toomas Henrik Ilves

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:18:34 GMT

Foreign Minister Paet: Allies That Share NATO’s Security Responsibilities Deserve Special Treatment

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 10:35:30 GMT

Foreign Minister Paet in Lisbon: NATO Needs Partners and the Open-Door Policy

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 10:34:37 GMT

Foreign Minster Paet: Women Experience Disproportionately Greater Suffering in Conflict Situations

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 12:29:18 GMT

Foreign Minister Paet Confirmed Estonia’s Ongoing Support for Afghanistan to Afghan Foreign Minister

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:51:26 GMT

Decision to Give NATO MAP to Bosnia and Herzegovina Made in Tallinn

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:50:45 GMT

NATO Foreign Ministers Discussed Future of NATO-Russia Relations

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:50:00 GMT

Foreign Minister Paet: Unilateral Disarmament of NATO Would be Dangerous

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:48:53 GMT

Foreign Minister Paet and Secretary of State Clinton Confirmed Good Estonia-USA Relations

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:55:15 GMT

Foreign Minister Paet and NATO Secretary General Rasmussen: New Threats Receive the Same Attention

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:36:57 GMT

Estonian Security Policy Concept Takes New Threats into Consideration

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:35:56 GMT

In his speech today in Riigkogu, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised that Estonia’s security policy concept is based on the objective to ensure the Estonian state’s independence and autonomy, territorial integrity, constitutional order, and the safety of the people.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the security environment has become unpredictable and security threats more diverse, although the condition of Estonia, as a member of the EU and NATO, is ensured in the changing security environment. “The biggest difference between the renewed concept and the previous one from 2004 is Estonia’s broadening approach to security. Since 2004, events have taken place in the world that have continued to broaden our views on security,” explained Paet. “Estonia’s security policy takes into account all of the factors that affect our national security, regardless of where or how they are created. The implementation of the security policy includes all of the fields essential to ensuring security. For example, we are constantly becoming more involved in energy and cyber security; the activity and participation of civil society is also becoming increasingly important to security policy, as are the coherence of the society, public health, environmental security, and psychological protection,” said Paet.

According to Foreign Minister Paet, in order to ensure security it is necessary to advance both domestic and international co-operation. “The nation must have the opportunity to use, when necessary, all the resources for preventing threats or reducing their effect. Advancing co-operation gives added value for creating and improving our capability,” he added. Paet stressed that determining Estonia’s defence expenses takes place on the basis of NATO methodology. “Our goal is to achieve a defence expenses budget of 2% of the GDP and maintain that,” said Paet.

SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE
+372 637 7654
pressitalitus@mfa.ee

Foreign Minister Paet: Agenda for NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Tallinn Focused on Future of NATO

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:34:29 GMT

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the agenda for the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting taking place from 22-23 April in Tallinn includes discussions on issues important to the future of NATO, such as the new Strategic Concept, headquarters reform, NATO enlargement and partnership, nuclear issues, missile defence, and NATO-Russia relations. The foreign ministers of nations contributing to ISAF in Afghanistan will also gather in Tallinn to discuss developments in Afghanistan.

According to Paet, one of the main topics of the foreign ministers’ meeting in Tallinn will be the renewing of NATO’s Strategic Concept. “For Estonia it is important how the new Strategic Concept will reflect collective defence as the primary responsibility of NATO,” said the Estonian foreign minister. “Estonia is satisfied with the process of developing the new Strategic Concept, in which we have actively participated,” added Foreign Minister Paet.

Paet stressed that Estonia continues to support the decisions made at the NATO summits in Bucharest and Strasbourg-Kehl regarding the creation of a NATO missile defence system. “The goal of the NATO missile defence system is to protect the population and territory of the entire alliance from all sources of danger,” said Paet. In talking about NATO’s nuclear policy, Paet noted that nuclear deterrence is still one of the pillars of the alliance. “The predictability of the global security environment has decreased, and the need for reliable deterrence remains great,” said Paet.

The situation in Afghanistan will be discussed at the meeting of ISAF nations to take place in Tallinn. “We will discuss opportunities and terms for starting to hand security responsibilities over to the Afghan authorities, as well as issues related to training the Afghan security forces,” said Paet. “We will discuss the basics principles of handing responsibility for security over to the Afghan authorities at the Tallinn meeting. There are also plans to update the political-military plan of NATO’s extensive strategy,” explained the Estonian foreign minister.

Foreign Minister Paet said that NATO-Russia relations would also be discussed. “Russia is an important partner to the alliance, but partnership must be based on mutual interest,” he added.

The NATO foreign ministers will also discuss further NATO enlargement, including the giving of a Membership Action Plan (MAP) to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Estonia supports giving a MAP to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Representatives from 45 nations and several international organisations are expected in Tallinn for the informal NATO foreign ministers’ meeting from 22-23 April. Meetings will take place in the conference centres of downtown Tallinn hotels and in the Estonian National Opera.

SPOKESPERSON’S OFFICE
+372 637 7654
+372 521 6821
pressitalitus@mfa.ee

Foreign Minister Paet Met with Javier Solana and Strobe Talbott

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:27:12 GMT

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with president of the USA think tank the Brookings Institution and former American under secretary of state Strobe Talbott and former foreign policy leader of the European Union Javier Solana to discuss Estonia’s activities in NATO and the European Union and developments in Russia, Ukraine and Georgia.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that Strobe Talbott’s work as an important creator of American foreign policy during the presidency of Bill Clinton set a foundation for Estonia and many other nations to join NATO. “Now, as a member of NATO and the European Union, Estonia has become a strong supporter of extending of the values of these organisations,” said Paet. “We feel it is especially important to share our experiences with acceding states. Estonia and other like-minded nations are attempting to support the European Union’s Eastern Partners and keep them in focus. Within the framework of these endeavours, we plan to establish an Eastern Partnership training centre at Tallinn’s Estonian School of Diplomacy,” said Foreign Minister Paet. Paet noted that co-operation and exchanging ideas with various think tanks, including the experts at the Brookings Institute, will certainly be helpful for the establishment of the training centre.

Another topic discussed was European Union-USA co-operation. According to Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, close co-operation between the European Union and the USA is the basis for stability, economic growth, and lasting development in the Euro-Atlantic region. “The partnership between the European Union and the USA differs from all others due to the unique closeness of its values and interests,” said Paet. “Estonia supports EU-USA co-operation becoming more effective though practical and co-ordinated activities, primarily in the areas of energy, interior and justice matters, development co-operation, and various regional issues,” the foreign minister added.

Relations with Russia were also discussed at the meeting. In talking about NATO-Russia relations, Paet and Talbott acknowledged that relations with Russia must be discussed regularly within the alliance so that the alliance can be unified in its positions. “The topic of NATO-Russia relations will also be one of the topics discussed within the framework of the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting being held in Tallinn,” Paet noted.

“In the near future we will be joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, where in addition to participating in the expert experiences and analyses of other countries, we can also share our own reform experiences on an even wider scale,” Paet said. At the meeting, Foreign Minister Paet also emphasised Estonia’s efforts and desire to fulfil all the criteria to join the euro zone on 1 January 2011.

Talbott and Solana recognised Estonia for its success thus far in international organisations and in coming to terms with the economic crisis.

SPOKESPERSON’S OFFICE
+372 637 7654
+372 521 6821
pressitalitus@mfa.ee