Yesterday, in Brussels, Minister of Defence Kalle Laanet participated in a meeting of European Union Defence Ministers, where the security situation in regions affecting Europe and the Union’s long-term security and defence policy plans were discussed.
The meeting began with topical issues relating to the security situation, and included a discussion of the aggressive actions taken by the Russian Federation towards Ukraine. The Defence Ministers and Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, jointly emphasised solidarity with Ukraine and emphasised that such pressure from the Russian Federation should be clearly and unequivocally condemned. Russia’s actions in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria were also condemned.
Minister of Defence Kalle Laanet noted that Estonia will continue to monitor Russia’s military activities very closely. ‘We must keep in mind that Russian armed forces, as a whole, have not withdrawn and continue to remain near the borders of Ukraine, and that military and political pressure continues to be exerted on Ukraine’, Laanet said.
The ministers also spoke about the situation in the Sahel and Mozambique.
Another matter discussed by the Defence Ministers was the long-term plan for the European Union’s security and defence policy, i.e. the Strategic Compass. At this meeting, the ministers discussed questions relating to the European Union’s crisis management and preparedness in greater detail, which will be used to review the threat picture and the capabilities required in order to respond to these threats. The Defence Ministers also wanted to improve the command capability of EU missions and cooperation with other European missions, and increase readiness units.
The European Union is currently conducting 6 military operations and missions in areas where the unstable security situation also poses a threat to European countries.
“Estonia is an important contributor to the European Union’s missions and participation in the stabilization of crisis areas affecting Europe is certainly necessary. However, we must be realistic when it comes to creating new capabilities and readiness units, first of all focusing on ensuring that the existing missions are manned by the Member States,” said the Minister of Defence. Laanet emphasised that support for neighbouring countries, including Georgia and Ukraine, is also important to Estonia.
The EU Defence Ministers also met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, with whom joint areas of operation and further support for Afghanistan were discussed. The NATO Secretary General also welcomed the decision by Member States to invite the United States, Canada and Norway to participate in the European Union’s military mobility project.
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