Tomorrow, the discussion of the report “NATO Deterrence in the Baltic Sea Region: Current Situation and Perspectives” as a matter of significant national importance will be held in the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia). Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson, Minister of Defence of Estonia Hannes Hanso and research fellow of the International Centre for Defence and Security Kalev Stoicescu will speak at the presentation of the report.

Presentation of the report and the discussion will take place at the sitting of the Riigikogu starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 June. The sitting can be followed in live broadcast.

Mihkelson said that the report focused on assessing the defence capability of NATO in the Baltic Sea region. “In cooperation with the allies, it is necessary to achieve greater and more permanent presence of the NATO allied forces on the Baltic Sea and in the Baltic region,” Mihkelson noted.

Mihkelson added that by today NATO had made a fundamental decision that the number of troops in the Baltic States and in Poland would increase. Final decisions will be announced at the NATO Warsaw Summit in the beginning of July.

The report compiled by the National Defence Committee is a political document that contains consensus-based recommendations to the Government for making further decisions in the area of defence. The Committee will present 19 conclusions and recommendations in the report. Among other things, the Committee recommends the Government that, when planning defence expenses, more attention should be devoted to strengthening independent defence capability, and increasing of the defence expenses of Estonia when necessary should be considered.

The report of the National Defence Committee is available.

Riigikogu Press Service
Epp-Mare Kukemelk
Phone: +372 631 6356, +372 51 53 903
[email protected]
Questions: [email protected]