Estonian Prime Minister Siim Kallas, Defence Minister Sven Mikser and Chief of Defence Forces Vice-Admiral Tarmo Kõuts participated in the North Atlantic Council meeting on Membership Action Plan on April 8 in Brussels. Estonian delegation reported on Estonia's progress on its way to NATO to the representatives of the 19 NATO member states.
Estonian Prime Minister Siim Kallas said at the meeting that Estonia's foreign policy has been consistent throughout the last ten years. "Our foreign policy priorities have remained the same also under the new government," confirmed Mr Kallas.
During the past 12 months Estonia has concentrated on issues identified in last year's NATO progress Report and the goals presented in Estonia's Annual National Programme. "While we have made progress in many areas we clearly understand that building up a modern defence system capable of addressing traditional and new security risks is a continuous process," Mr Estonian Prime Minister Kallas underlined.
Prime Minister gave in his statement an overview of Estonia's economic development, accession to the European Union and integration of non-Estonians.
Prime Minister Kallas pointed out that in the year 2002 level of defence expenditure reached 2% of the GDP. "We intend to keep the 2% level also in the coming years," Mr Kallas said.
Speaking about the public support for NATO membership, Mr Kallas emphasised that according to recent polls almost 70% of Estonian citizens and 30% of non-citizens are in favour of accession. Also the vast majority of Estonian population supports the current level of defence expenditure.
Prime Minister also concentrated on defence and military issues. According to the Prime Minister one of the key priorities for the Estonian Defence forces is the improvement of combat readiness and creation of a rapid reaction capability. Estonian Rapid Reaction Battalion ESTBAT should be available by the year 2005 for missions under article 5 of the Washington Treaty as well as for crisis response operations.
PRESS SPOKESMAN'S OFFICE
Phone: + 372 6317 654
Estonian Prime Minister Siim Kallas said at the meeting that Estonia's foreign policy has been consistent throughout the last ten years. "Our foreign policy priorities have remained the same also under the new government," confirmed Mr Kallas.
During the past 12 months Estonia has concentrated on issues identified in last year's NATO progress Report and the goals presented in Estonia's Annual National Programme. "While we have made progress in many areas we clearly understand that building up a modern defence system capable of addressing traditional and new security risks is a continuous process," Mr Estonian Prime Minister Kallas underlined.
Prime Minister gave in his statement an overview of Estonia's economic development, accession to the European Union and integration of non-Estonians.
Prime Minister Kallas pointed out that in the year 2002 level of defence expenditure reached 2% of the GDP. "We intend to keep the 2% level also in the coming years," Mr Kallas said.
Speaking about the public support for NATO membership, Mr Kallas emphasised that according to recent polls almost 70% of Estonian citizens and 30% of non-citizens are in favour of accession. Also the vast majority of Estonian population supports the current level of defence expenditure.
Prime Minister also concentrated on defence and military issues. According to the Prime Minister one of the key priorities for the Estonian Defence forces is the improvement of combat readiness and creation of a rapid reaction capability. Estonian Rapid Reaction Battalion ESTBAT should be available by the year 2005 for missions under article 5 of the Washington Treaty as well as for crisis response operations.
PRESS SPOKESMAN'S OFFICE
Phone: + 372 6317 654