Foreign Minister Paet: Holland’s Contribution to Stabilising Situation in Afghanistan Has Been Essential
08.03.2010
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime
Verhagen, in Estonia for a visit, discussed the situation in
Afghanistan. Paet stated that during the next few months a situation
must be created in which responsibility can gradually be handed over to
the Afghan authorities. “Handing responsibility for state security over
to the local authorities is an essential step in building up the state
of Afghanistan. Including the Afghans more in stabilising their
security situation, for example in the security forces of NATO and
other international organisations or in the Moshtarek operation that
took place in co-operation with Afghan security forces, has already
brought good results,” stated Foreign Minister Paet.
Paet stated that Estonia is increasing its civil contribution in
Afghanistan. “This year we plan to send five more civilian police
officers to the Afghan police training centre in Kandahar. We will also
double our contribution to the European Union Police Mission,” said
Paet. In addition, Estonia has plans to support the Afghan
reintegration fund.
The two also discussed Estonia’s candidacy to be the location for
the EU IT agency for justice and home affairs. “Taking into
consideration Estonia’s highly developed IT sector, we believe that
Estonia possesses all the qualifications to be a good location for the
agency,” stated Foreign Minister Paet. Paet added that it is important
to adhere to the 2003 decision of the European Council, according to
which new European Union agencies should be located in new member
states.
In talking about the economic situation more generally, the Estonian
and Dutch foreign ministers agreed that all the euro zone member states
must follow a responsible economic policy, as it is essential for the
strength and unity of the euro zone. “Upon fulfilling all the
requirements, Estonia would like to join the euro zone at the beginning
of next year. Going over to the euro will significantly increase
confidence in the economic environment for Estonian residents and those
investing in Estonia,” said Paet. The foreign minister stated that
Estonia will continue supporting investment awareness, innovation and
education in order to ensure the recovery and competitiveness of the
economy in the long run.
Foreign Minister Paet noted that co-operation between Estonia and
Holland has worked well in representing each other for the issuing of
visas. The Netherlands represent Estonia in Kenya and Jordan. Estonia
represents the Netherlands for the issuing of visas in Pskov. The two
ministers also discussed cultural co-operation between the countries.
“Groningen University in the Netherlands is one of the ten places in
the world where it is possible to study Estonian,” said Paet.
The Estonian and Dutch foreign ministers also discussed the creation
of the European Union’s foreign service, Eastern Partnership, issues
related to climate change, and the EU’s relations with Russia.
