Parliamentary friendship groups issued a joint statement in support of eliminating the Iranian threat
The Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu and the Estonia-USA Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu issued a joint statement in which they expressed their firm and unequivocal support for the efforts of the United States and the State of Israel to eliminate the threat posed by the aggressive regime of Iran.
“The nuclear, missile, and drone programmes of the Iranian terrorist regime, its terrorist proxies, and its attacks against Israel and other countries in the region have for years posed a direct and growing threat to regional security, international stability, and to the free world. Iran has systematically carried out a policy of aggression, terror, and destabilization,” members of parliamentary friendship groups say in the joint statement.
According to the members of parliamentary friendship groups, it is in Estonia’s direct national interests to have a rules-based international order built on international law, and the countries of the axis of evil have been undermining this for years, virtually with impunity. “Military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran weaken the Iranian regime and its autocratic allies, whose obvious goal is to change the world order. The autocratic regimes of Iran, North Korea, and Russia create instability throughout the world. With the support of Iran, North Korea, and China, Russia continues its war of conquest in Ukraine. Iranian drone technology—particularly Shahed-type weapon systems—forms the backbone of Russian air strikes targeting Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure to terrorize the Ukrainian people,” they say, and add that therefore, the Iranian regime poses a threat not only to Israel and the Middle East region, but also directly to the security of Europe and Estonia.
The parliamentary friendship groups point out that Estonia is a steadfast ally of the United States and a close friend of Israel, and reaffirm their support for strong transatlantic unity in confronting common threats. “We welcome the joint operation of the United States and Israel in Iran and express our full support to the armed forces and troops of both countries, and wish them success,” the joint statement says.
The members of the Riigikogu wish strength and courage to the people of Israel, who are once again living under Iranian missile and drone attacks, and strongly condemn Iran’s attacks against Israel and its neighbours. “These attacks show the true nature of the Iranian regime. Attacks against civilian targets and energy infrastructure are particularly atrocious and must not go unpunished. The democratic world must make it clear that aggression against the countries of the region and, above all, deliberate attacks that endanger the civilian population and critical infrastructure will have consequences for the aggressor,” they say.
The joint statement calls on democratic nations to maintain and strengthen political, diplomatic, and economic pressure on the Iranian regime, including its missile and drone industries, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and all structures responsible for aggression abroad and repression at home. The members of parliamentary friendship groups recall that the Riigikogu has designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and has called on other democratic nations to do the same, and they reiterate that call.
“We underline that the future of Iran must belong to its people. The people of Iran need the firm, united, and resolute support of the democratic world to overthrow the autocratic regime. Only in this way can we ensure, in the long term, that Iran will never acquire nuclear weapons, will no longer export war and terror, and that the Iranian people will finally be able to choose a free, secure, and dignified future for themselves,” the joint statement of parliamentary friendship groups says.
The statement is signed by Chairman of the Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group Eerik-Niiles Kross and members of the group Meelis Kiili, Juku-Kalle Raid, Riina Sikkut, Aivar Sõerd, Peeter Tali, Vilja Toomast and Kristo Enn Vaga. Tali is the Deputy Chairman of the Estonia-USA Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Kross, Sõerd and Vaga are members. Martin Helme, Mart Helme, Helle-Moonika Helme, Jüri Jaanson, Mario Kadastik, Raimond Kaljulaid, Ester Karuse, Ando Kiviberg, Toomas Kivimägi, Eero Merilind, Henn Põlluaas, Mati Raidma, Luisa Rõivas, Kersti Sarapuu, Pipi-Liis Siemann, Margit Sutrop, Kadri Tali, Urve Tiidus and Kristina Šmigun-Vähi from the Estonia-USA Parliamentary Friendship Group also signed the joint statement.
The full text of the Joint Statement in English
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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