Foreign Minister Paet: Pillars of NATO Must Remain the Same

11.02.2010

Nr 42 – E

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.

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