Foreign Minister Paet: Pillars of NATO Must Remain the Same
11.02.2010
In his foreign policy address today in Riigikogu, Foreign Minister
Urmas Paet emphasised that Estonia is actively involved in the
formulation of NATO’s new Strategic Concept. “It is important for
Estonia to use the opportunity to participate, for the first time, in
the shaping of the Alliance’s fundamental strategy,” he said. “The
meeting of the NATO foreign ministers where the new Strategic Concept
will be discussed will take place in Tallinn, which confirms that NATO
is visible in Estonia and in the Baltic states and that our security is
better ensured than ever before,” Paet noted to the Riigikogu.
Foreign Minister Paet stated that the basis for NATO’s activity is
the principle of collective defence established in the fourth and fifth
articles of the charter and military capability and preparedness.
“These pillars must remain in NATO’s new Strategic Concept, and in this
matter the allies share the same view,” Paet asserted. “The backbone of
the Concept must consist of NATO’s visibility, credibility, and the
clear expression of its capabilities. We must devote just as much
attention to dealing with both conventional and new security risks,
such as cyber defence and energy security,” he stressed.
Paet stated that Estonia’s goal is for the new concept to strengthen
the Alliance and its transatlantic unity. “One essential component of
this is the open relationship and unity among the European allies.
Another is taking into account the concerns and uncertainties of other
states, including in economic transactions that may seem to be
advantageous at first but are accompanied by security implications,”
Paet added.
The foreign minister stressed that Estonia continues to support
NATO’s openness to new members, mentioning the efforts of Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, and Ukraine to integrate with NATO.
Paet also addressed the joint efforts of NATO and the NATO-led ISAF
mission in stabilising Afghanistan. “The size of the Estonian
contingent is 150-165 troops, whose direct mission is to ensure the
security of Helmand Province. Their contribution also helps in the
fight against international terrorism being fought by Pakistan and the
other countries in the region,” said Paet. “Although Estonia has so far
been left untouched by direct terror attacks, working to hand the
security responsibilities in Afghanistan over to the Afghans reflects
Estonia’s empathy and helps to ensures global security—including that
of Estonia—in the long run,” the Estonian foreign minister stressed to
the Riigikogu.
Estonia would like to continue strengthening its good partnership
relations with the United States. As examples Paet mentioned the
intensification of co-operation in Afghanistan as well as active
relations with the current US administration. Paet stressed the
necessity of moving forward in European Union-USA relations in both the
energy and development co-operation sectors, in supporting Eastern
Partners and in overcoming the economic crisis. The Estonian foreign
minister stated that noticeable progress in transatlantic relations has
been made in the recent past.
In addressing discussions concerning European security architecture
that took place this past year, Paet noted that instead of inventing
the wheel we must make more effective use of existing security measures
and adhere to international commitments. “In dealing with today’s
security threats there is no need for new agreements, but rather for
enhanced political will,” emphasised Foreign Minister Paet in the
Riigikogu. “We are addressing this in the updating of both the NATO
Strategic Concept and Estonia’s National Security Concept,” he
confirmed.
