Paet at UN: Peacekeeping Costs Increasing
Speaking at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said the UN's peacekeeping capabilities are limited and costs are increasing each year.
“When regional organizations take over part of the responsibility, it helps decrease the strain on the UN. Both the EU and NATO have great experience of peacekeeping operations and their cooperation with the UN, the African Union and regional economic commissions would boost the overall capability to conduct missions,” he said, adding that regional organization often can be more successful in preventing conflicts.
Paet said peacekeeping missions cost around 8 billion US dollars (6 billion euros) annually.
Estonia has taken part in UN missions constantly since 1995, Paet said, adding Estonia's goal is to protect civilians and decrease tensions in conflict areas. “But it is clear that all stressful and unstable situation, and conflicts – near and far – will at some point affect us.”