Estonia and Switzerland sign military defense cooperation agreement
Estonia and Switzerland signed a military defense cooperation agreement which will establish a legal basis for bilateral co-operation in the field of military training.
Minister of Defense Jüri Luik signed an agreement with the Secretary General of the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS) of the Swiss Confederation earlier this week.
Luik (Isamaa) said the agreement provides an opportunity to co-operate to a much greater extent than before.
"Today's cooperation focuses on the exchange of experiences in the field of mobilization, there is potential for development in the field of defense industry contacts and cyber cooperation. The agreement creates a practical output for the organization of defence projects," he said.
Luik said the agreement makes it possible to organize the training of armed forces and civilian personnel, trainings and internships in educational institutions, cyber exercises, consultations on logistics, military medicine, defense law and environmental protection topics, cooperation between military museums, and the exchange of exhibits and rescue training.
"Estonia and Switzerland have been cooperating in defense since the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Estonia, when Switzerland provided significant support in building Estonia's national defense," added Luik.
Switzerland has supported Estonia with defense equipment and the establishment of its conscript service, reserve force and mobilization system. Switzerland also made a significant contribution to the establishment of the Baltic Defence College.
Estonia and Switzerland have previously concluded an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Swiss Federal Council for the exchange of classified information, which entered into force on February 1, 2018.
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Editor: Helen Wright