Minister of Defence replied to the interpellation concerning defence policy
Minister of Defence Jürgen Ligi replied to the interpellation (No. 186) concerning defence policy, submitted on 14 December by Members of the Riigikogu Ken-Marti Vaher, Tõnis Lukas and Trivimi Velliste.
The interpellation related to the conclusion of defence policy agreement reached by consensus of all the political parties. Minister of Defence remarked that even prior to his assuming the office of Minister, he was posed the question about the establishment of the professional Defence Forces. Mr. Ligi did not deny his support to that trend and stated that “the matter itself presumes political support from other political parties.” Minister of Defence said that he would support the conclusion of a defence agreement, accepted by all the parties, so that no-one would be pressured into it. Mr. Ligi provided examples of viewpoints concerning financing defence spending, extending of international missions and ending compulsory military service. According to Mr. Ligi, before the conclusion of an agreement, it would be necessary to make a realistic assessment of the security political situation in Estonia and determine “which are our defence needs and what is the best way of ensuring them and then to select the means.”
During the open microphone Liina Tõnisson took the floor.
The Riigikogu Press Service