Estonia Wishes to Actively Participate in Updating of NATO Strategic Concept
12.10.2009
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet
discussed preparations for the new NATO strategic concept with Aivis
Ronis, a member of the expert group preparing the concept, on Monday,
12 October.
Foreign Minister Paet emphasised that NATO’s
new strategic concept must be based on the principle of collective
defence and give a clear representation of NATO’s visibility,
trustworthiness and abilities. “We feel it is especially important that
the new concept conveys a clear message about NATO’s visibility and
presence in nations in the alliance,” added the foreign minister.
Paet noted that the creation of
NATO’s new strategic concept gives us a good opportunity to equalise
NATO allies’ understanding of the real security environment. “It is
necessary to highlight the relationship between NATO collective defence
and foreign missions, and the concept should address former as well as
new threats,” he added. In talking about new security threats, Paet
mentioned the risks associated with cyber security.
Aivis Ronis gave an overview of the work done
by the group preparing NATO’s new strategic concept thus far. The
Estonian foreign minister stated that working out the new concept
should increase the unity if NATO. “We wish to actively participate in
the creation of the new NATO strategic concept,” Paet stated. The new
concept will be a primary topic at the meeting of NATO foreign
ministers this upcoming spring in Tallinn.
Aivis Ronis, the former Latvian ambassador to the USA and NATO and the candidate presented by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
was chosen to be a member of the group preparing NATO’s new strategic
concept. The expert group for the new concept is being led by Madeleine
Albright.
