At the meeting, Tsahkna said that the world was facing several conflicts and crises that threaten the security of us all, we must be ready to react to them. “We will continue to offer Ukraine every assistance in fighting Russia’s 20-month full-scale aggression until and after Ukraine’s victory,” Tsahkna said, adding that Ukraine needed urgent additional defence assistance for the coming winter. “We must approve the eighth package of the European Peace Facility as soon as possible; Ukraine needs it and we need it because Ukraine is fighting for the security of us all.”
At the discussion on the conflict in Israel, Tsahkna said Estonia completely condemned the attacks against Israel by the Hamas terrorist organisation, and called for the immediate release of the hostages taken by Hamas. “The horrors committed by Hamas should not be attributed to all Palestinians who are also suffering under their terror,” Tsahkna said. He welcomed the arrival of first humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, and the EU’s decision to triple its humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The foreign ministers also had a meeting with their Central Asian counterparts, discussing closer cooperation, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, including preventing the circumvention of sanctions imposed against Russia.
On the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council, Tsahkna met with Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu and Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov. They spoke about global security challenges and the development of bilateral relations. The meeting with Saidov included the signing of the Estonia-Uzbekistan readmission agreement.
Tomorrow, Tsahkna is attending the General Affairs Council of the European Union. The agenda includes preparations for the European Council on 26 and 27 October, and the annual dialogue on the rule of law with country-specific discussions, where Estonia will give an overview of the state of the rule of law in Estonia in the past year. The meeting also covers potential additions to the working languages of the European Union. A dinner will also held on the topic of the future of Europe, including enlargement.
More information about the agenda of the General Affairs Council is available here: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/gac/2023/10/24/
Photos of the meetings are available here (the gallery is being updated): https://www.flickr.com/photos/estonian-foreign-ministry/albums/72177720312127417
The doorstep interview of the minister ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council is available here: https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20231023-foreign-affairs-council-october-2023/142120-arrival-and-doorstep-ee-tsahkna-20231023
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