Today and tomorrow the delegation of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) is on a visit to Poland. The purpose of the visit is to meet with Polish colleagues and the leaders of the foreign and defence policy of Poland before the Warsaw Summit.

Chairman of the National Defence Committee Marko Mihkelson said that Poland is a very important cooperation partner for Estonia in security issues. “There is an open and honest dialogue between Estonia and Poland,” Mihkelson said. “We have similar expectations of the Warsaw Summit, and we also have similar understanding of security challenges,” he outlined the similarities of Estonia and Poland.

Mihkelson mentioned Poland’s contribution to Baltic air policing, and also contribution to the Baltic Defence College and the cooperation of special operations units as examples of real defence cooperation. Estonian and Polish defence forces have participated in several military exercises in Estonia and Poland. “Estonians have taken part in the military exercise Anakonda in Poland, and Polish soldiers participated in our military exercise Siil (Hedgehog) last year, and have been to our Spring Storm several times,” he said.

At the meetings that are planned for the visit, Mihkelson wishes to discuss Poland’s contribution to the security of NATO’s eastern wing and the issues of practical military cooperation. The members of the National Defence Committee would also like to speak about the cooperation possibilities of Estonian companies in defence industry. Poland is interested in the experience of the Estonian Defence League in establishing a single training system.

During the visit that lasts until Thursday, it is planned to have meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence of Poland, and also the Foreign Affairs Committees and National Defence Committees of the Sejm and the Senate. The Chairman of the National Defence Committee is accompanied on the visit by members of the Committee Madis Milling and Oudekki Loone.

Riigikogu Press Service
Epp-Mare Kukemelk
Phone: +372 631 6356, +372 515 3903
[email protected]
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