Warsaw, 8 July 2016 – According to Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas, the decision to increase the presence of allied NATO forces in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, approved today at the NATO Summit, is a long awaited breakthrough that demonstrates the unity of NATO and increases security for Estonia.
The Warsaw summit, which is of historic significance for Estonia, approved today a final decision to deploy to Estonia; a multinational battalion of independent defence capability as part of a long-term planned rotation. It was also decided that the United Kingdom, a good and long-term partner of Estonia, would take the lead of the battalion in 2017.
It was confirmed that the latest in 2017, the framework nation of the batallion will be Estonia's long-term partner United Kingdom. Denmark nad France will also bring troops to Estonia.
“This is a breakthrough that unambiguously demonstrates NATO's solidarity and the fact that Estonia is better protected today than ever before,” said Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas after the meeting of the North Atlantic Council. “Approximately 1,000 troops from different NATO member states being stationed in Estonia will become a new normality. This is a direct confirmation of the Alliance's defence and deterrence posture – a signal that an attack on one is an attack on all and it’s not worth picking a fight with us.”
Another important goal for Estonia was fulfilled today - to strengthen the stance adopted at the Wales summit 18 months ago to reinforce the initial security measures. This means continuing the air policing mission from the Ämari air base, a stronger and faster NATO Response Force and a NATO staff element in Estonia.
“We also wanted NATO to continue to strengthen its response capability, including regular updates of NATO’s defence plans and exercises on land, sea and in the air. The Allies, including Estonia, should also improve their capacity to host NATO’s support forces on their territories,” explained Rõivas.
Prime Minister Rõivas explained that the Warsaw Summit is significant for Estonia, because the decisions adopted there are of a permanent nature, rather than temporary solutions. Heads of state and government joined forces to determine NATO’s long-term defence and deterrence posture. It is a long process aimed at enhancing NATO’s capability to defend its Allies and to respond to threats from any direction.
Prime Minister Rõivas stressed in statement at the Summit that Estonia is ready to host Allied forces. “At the Wales’ Summit 18 months ago, it was decided that NATO land forces would come to Estonia; we have allocated 41 million euros to extend the necessary infrastructure and exercise ranges,” said Rõivas. “The construction of the first barracks for allied troops was completed in Tapa a week ago, and the Government decided to invest an additional 12 million euros and to build two more barracks, the construction of which should be completed by the autumn of 2017.”
As the presence of Allied forces will increase significantly and Estonia has the obligation to protect the troops and their technology and information outside the Tapa barracks, the Government decided to allocate more than 3 million euros additionally to the Ministry of the Interior, and the Police and Border Guard Board in 2017-2020. The Government is also prepared for additional expenditures to be specified after the Warsaw Summit and after consultations with the Framework Nation of the battalion to be deployed to Estonia.
“Estonia is among the four NATO member states who meet the guideline on spending two percent of GDP – 2,16 to be precise- or more, on defence, Host Nation Support comes on top of that,” said Taavi Rõivas. Prime Minister added that on a broader scale it is important that other NATO members have sensed the necessity to raise defence expenditure to two percent, and this goal is being fulfilled with dedication.
In the light of the breakthrough achieved at today’s meeting, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to Estonian diplomats and officials for their efforts over the last few years; including meetings with the representatives of all NATO members to clarify Estonia’s position and objectives. “It was an enormous job, and a victory for all of us,” said Prime Minister.
Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vdmenkfyqmo0qum/AADE99-9Fo6atCZBhyzkqcqWa?dl=0