In a phone call on Saturday 11 January, the Estonian Foreign Minister and the U.S. Secretary of State discussed the tense security situation in Iraq.
Commenting on tensions between Iran and the United States, Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu affirmed his colleague Mike Pompeo that Estonia supported the United States, and underscored the United States had a right to self-defence according to the UN Charter.
“I have called on Iran to stop its destabilising actions in the Middle East,” Reinsalu said. He said it was vital to achieve a de-escalation through diplomatic means and Estonia as a member of the UN Security Council was working with other states towards easing tensions in the Middle East and avoiding a further aggravation of the conflict.
Secretary of State Pompeo thanked the Estonian Foreign Minister for his support and underscored the need for cooperation between allies.
According to Reinsalu, it was crucial to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power and stop the development of its missile programme. The cooperation of Atlantic allies is vital in this issue.
The foreign minister told his U.S. counterpart that it was of strategic importance for Estonia to cooperate with the United States both on a bilateral as well as Atlantic level in the UN Security Council, NATO and the European Union.
The conversation also covered Friday’s meeting of the foreign ministers of the European Union, and the investigation into the downing of the Ukraine plane.
Both ministers reaffirmed mutual commitment to ensuring collective security according to the NATO charter.
Foreign Minister Reinsalu will meet the Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Zarif this week in New Delhi.
Additional information:
Fred Püss
Media Adviser
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Communication Department
+372 6 377 618, +372 55 562 488