New National Security Authority Appointed
In March, Märt Kraft, former Secretary General at the Ministry of the Interior, will take up the post of National Security Authority at the Ministry of Defense, replacing Ingvar Pärnamäe.
”I also hope that the move [...] will intensify cooperation between the defense and interior ministries in ensuring the security of Estonian citizens," Minister of Defense Jaak Aaviksoo said, commenting the decision. "These personnel shifts will increase mutual understanding [...] in the field of security, also serving as a good safeguard for broad collaboration provided in the recently passed National Defence Strategy.”
The National Security Authority is responsible for receiving, processing and preserving classified information from NATO, the EU, foreign countries and international organizations in all Estonian government offices, embassies and the Defense Forces.
From 2001 to 2006, the post was held by Herman Simm who is currently serving a 12.5-year prison sentence for treason, after having been found guilty for selling classified information to Russian intelligence services.