Foreign Minister Paet: Estonia Diversifying its Military Contribution and Increasing Civil Activity in Afghanistan
04.12.2009
The foreign ministers of NATO and the countries contributing to the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) meeting in Brussels
supported the USA’s decision to strengthen the international forces in
Afghanistan and confirmed NATO’s focus on improving the security
situation in Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the foreign ministers of the
countries involved in the ISAF expressed their support for US President
Barack Obama’s new strategy in Afghanistan, where civil contributions
and co-operation with Pakistan receive equal attention to the military
contribution. “Estonia welcomes President Obama’s decision to
significantly increase the security forces in Afghanistan, as well as
the United States’ clear strategy for the future,” confirmed Foreign
Minister Paet.
Estonia is diversifying its military contribution in Afghanistan
through adding special capabilities: a fire support team will be sent
to strengthen the Estonian contingent and provide greater security, and
within the next year Estonia plans to add an improvised explosive
device disposal (IEDD) team and an intelligence unit. Estonia will
maintain its current contribution in terms of numbers, which means no
more than 170 soldiers, most of whom will continue to ensure security
in Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan.
Paet said that while increasing the military contribution, the need
for civil contributions will increase as well. In 2010 Estonia will
increase its civil contribution: the Ministry of Defence will send an
advisor to the NATO Training Mission (NTM-A), and a third Estonian
police officer will be sent to join the two already participating in
the European Union police mission EUPOL Afghanistan. Development
co-operation projects in Afghanistan will continue to the full extent
of their original plans.
The foreign ministers emphasised the need to increase co-ordination
between military and civil efforts and agreed on the necessity of the
UN’s increased role in managing this. Foreign Minister Paet stressed
that military and civil co-operation and the effective use of resources
are vitally important. The foreign ministers also emphasised the
necessity of increasing the Afghans’ responsibility and sense of
ownership in all sectors. “Estonia expects that the new Afghan
government will take on more responsibility and implement concrete
measures—the fight against corruption is especially important,”
asserted Paet.
The reintegration and reconciliation process plays an essential role
in increasing stability in Afghanistan’s society and in the rebuilding
of the nation. “This process is of key importance for the effective
functioning of a legitimate government that is recognised by Afghan
citizens. ISAF Afghanistan can provide support in this area,” Paet
stressed.
The foreign ministers of the ISAF nations confirmed that they will
continue providing military and economic support as well as development
aid to Pakistan in order to support the nation’s fight against
extremism.
