NATO Priority Is Strengthening Collective Defense, Says Government
The Cabinet today approved Estonia's positions at the upcoming NATO summit, with priority placed on the continued strengthening of collective defense capabilities.
NATO must be "ready and able to react," according to a government press release sent after today's Cabinet meeting.
“Readiness means NATO has military capabilities, which are trained, prepared and with leadership. Able to react means having a strong military deterrent, including the necessary forces in the right places at the right time, and also effective political decisiveness,” the government said.
Estonia's position ahead of the summit in Wales on September 4 and 5 is to continue building up collective defense capabilities, including air policing and the Ämari Air Force Base, increased naval presence on the Baltic Sea, reconnaissance flights on a regular basis, strengthening NATO leadership structure, re-evaluation of defense plans as long as it is militarily and politically necessary.
The Cabinet also said NATO must adapt to the new security situation in Europe and plan ahead.
The Estonian delegation in Wales will be led by PM Taavi Rõivas, with the foreign and defense ministers and the head of the Defense Forces.