Foreign Minister Goes on the Record in 'Omar' Case
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet has given an official comment regarding the interpreter who worked with Estonian troops in Afghanistan.
Paet told ETV the interpreter, who is seeking a visa from Estonia, will get a reply regarding his case which may help in decision-making for similar cases in the future.
"This is the first such request, it has to be carefully considered as it may set a precedent for future cases. There must be tens of people who worked with Estonian units over the years,” said Paet.
Foreign Ministry officials have also previously expressed concern that such a precedent would trigger a flood of applications to the member state seen as the "easiest mark," and say if and when it comes, a decision would not be publicized.
"Omar" is generally recognized as having the most professional merit and the highest reliability of Estonia's interpreters. In the subtitled video above, a senior officer who worked with Omar credits the interpreter for speaking six dialects.