The discussions focused on European security, preparations for the NATO summit, and the broader global security environment.
Estonia hosted the E-PINE meeting in its capacity as chair of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) cooperation format. Discussions took place in both Tallinn and Narva and included visits to the Narva Training Centre of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, the Narva border crossing point and Narva Castle. According to Undersecretary Roger, hosting the E-PINE meeting in Estonia provided an excellent opportunity to give allies a comprehensive overview of the situation on NATO’s eastern border and Estonia’s efforts to strengthen the Alliance’s security.
During the meeting, Undersecretary Roger emphasised the importance of transatlantic cooperation and allied relations, the need to deliver unified messages at the NATO Summit in Ankara in early July, and Europe’s growing role in ensuring the continent’s defence and security. The participants also discussed continued support for Ukraine, in which the Nordic-Baltic region remains at the forefront, developments in the Middle East, and the readiness of Allies to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
On the margins of the consultations, Undersecretary Roger also held a bilateral meeting with Kelly Billingsley, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Eastern Europe and for Policy and Regional Affairs at the US Department of State. They discussed the close bilateral relationship and cooperation between Estonia and the United States, as well as transatlantic security issues.
The E-PINE format has been in operation since 2003 and brings together the United States, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Norway, providing a platform for discussions on key security issues and broader areas of cooperation.
