Yesterday, Minister of Defence Estonia Kalle Laanet and Minister of the Interior Kristian Jaani visited the eastern border in Southern Estonia, where reserve troops and members of the Estonian Defence League participating in the exercise Okas 2021 are installing barbed wire in co-operation with the Police and Border Guard Board.
‘The Estonian Defence Forces rely upon the reserve army, and Okas 2021 confirms the fact that the Defence Forces are quick and able to respond in all situations. Further co-operation with the PBGB will actually strengthen the security of the state border – this is a textbook example of broad-based national defence approach,’ said Minister of Defence Kalle Laanet. He also thanked all the reserve troops participating the exercise, for their contribution to Estonia’s security.
‘This exercise is important to train co-operation between the Defence Forces and the PBGB in a situation where we have to respond quickly to possible illegal activities at the border. I confirmed today that the organization of the exercise is impeccable and extremely professional. The installation of temporary barriers is going smoothly, except for difficult weather conditions in some places. It is also a pleasure to acknowledge that the troops have reached combat readiness. This shows that Estonia is united and the people whose job is not to guard the border on a daily basis are ready to come and contribute at very short notice. This is broad-based national defence,’ said Minister of the Interior Kristian Jaani.
The ministers were briefed by Colonel Tarmo Metsa, Commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, Police Lieutenant-Colonel Vallo Koppel, Prefect of the Southern Prefecture, and Paavo Mikson, Chief of Police of the Piusa Cordon, on the exercise and the situation on the eastern border.
Photos: https://pildid.mil.ee/index.php?/category/60865
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