New framework document on Estonia’s security policy will be submitted to the Riigikogu
Today, the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) unanimously decided to support and send to the plenary for its first reading the National Security Concept of Estonia, submitted by the Government. The new National Security Concept highlights the role of comprehensive national defence and provides that Estonia’s military defence spending must continue to be at least five per cent of GDP.
Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu Kalev Stoicescu said that the updated National Security Concept had been drawn up in close cooperation with the committees of the Riigikogu, which had repeatedly discussed the document since last autumn and had made numerous proposals. “After the first reading, we wish to make a clarification, according to which the Prime Minister will give the Riigikogu an overview of Estonia’s security policy more frequently than before, or once a year. At today’s sitting, the Prime Minister also agreed to this,” he added.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson underlined the importance of active diplomacy alongside defence investments in the National Security Concept. “We must strengthen the narrative of victory among our allies, because only a decisive defeat of Russian imperialism in Ukraine will create the conditions for restoring lasting peace in Europe and, with it, strengthening our own security,” he said.
The National Security Concept of Estonia was prepared by the Government, and describes the deteriorated security environment, the principles of Estonia’s security policy, and the actions necessary to counter threats and mitigate risks in five areas: social cohesion and civil protection, economic security and essential services, internal security, military defence and international activity. Among other things, the document emphasizes that Estonia’s military defence expenditure must amount to at least five per cent of GDP, and state funding must be used to maintain the capabilities necessary for fulfilling national defence tasks and to address the most significant non-military capability shortfalls.
At today’s joint sitting of the National Defence Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu, Prime Minister Kristen Michal gave an overview of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Approval of “The National Security Concept of Estonia”” (908 OE). The National Defence Committee moved unanimously to include the Draft Resolution in the agenda of the 19 May plenary sitting and to conclude its first reading.
The Riigikogu will decide on the approval of the National Security Concept at two readings. Last National Security Concept was approved by the Riigikogu at the beginning of 2023.
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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