Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson<\/b> welcomed his Norwegian colleagues and said that fighting against Russia\u2019s aggression against Ukraine continued to be a priority for us. \u201cThere is also a war going on in the Middle East, and we see connections between them. If we lose in Ukraine, we will lose everywhere, including in the Middle East,” Mihkelson emphasised.<\/p>\n
Mihkelson pointed out that Russia\u2019s as well as China\u2019s strategic goals were for the long term, and that Russia\u2019s position was strong enough to continue pursuing these goals for a long time and to do so at the cost of the well-being of its people. \u201cRussia\u2019s aim is to end the hegemony of the USA and to destroy the security architecture of Europe. Next year, they will spend 60 percent of their state budget on war, and this is only the public part of military expenses. The Allies must not underestimate that,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee underlined that Norway\u2019s assistance to Ukraine was of great value, but noted that the allies still did not have a common vision of what the end of this war should be. \u201cThe Ukrainians have a strong will to fight, but they need technology and ammunition. Our assistance must remain steadfastly strong. It is also important that Sweden became a member of NATO as soon as possible,\u201d Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee said.<\/p>\n
Deputy Chairman of the National Defence Committee Leo Kunnas<\/b> and member of the National Defence Committee Meelis Kiili<\/b>, as well as members of the Foreign Affairs Committee Eerik-Niiles Kross<\/b> and Anti Poolamets<\/b> also participated in the meeting.<\/p>\n
Eight members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence of the Storting (Parliament) of Norway are visiting Estonia. The head of the delegation is Chair of the Committee Ine Eriksen S\u00f8reide<\/b>. During the visit, the Norwegian delegation will also meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defence of Estonia.<\/p>\n