The delegation of the National Defence Committee is leaving for a two-day work visit to Finland today, at the invitation of the Defence Committee of the Parliament of Finland, to discuss enhancing the security of the Baltic Sea region and developing regional defence cooperation.
The Chairman of the National Defence Committee Peeter Tali says that Estonia and Finland share the same view of the challenges in the Baltic Sea region, and that close parliamentary cooperation serves to strengthen the defence capabilities of both countries.
“Our discussions will concern the development of air defence, ballistic missile defence, drone warfare, and participation of Finnish fighter jets in the defence of Estonia’s air space, including the legal consideration of the use of air space, and other topics. The security of Estonia and Finland are interlinked, and the closer our practical defence cooperation, the stronger the deterrence in the whole Baltic Sea region,” Tali said.
The delegation will visit the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (HybridCoE) and Utti Jaeger Regiment, to hear about the activities of the Finnish Special Forces, drone warfare training, and army capability development.
Peeter Tali is accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee Leo Kunnas, and members Mati Raidma, Meelis Kiili, and Enn Eesmaa.
The National Defence Committee has been engaged in close cooperation with its Finnish colleagues since 1993, and the two Committees meet annually.