Stenbock House, 11 September 2020 – At a meeting with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas emphasised that Estonia highly values the close friendship with Denmark and its contribution to the security of Estonia and NATO as a whole.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Frederiksen announced the decision of the Danish government to return to NATO Battlegroup Estonia in 2022. The decision still needs the approval of the Danish Parliament. ‘I am very happy about the Danish Government’s decision. The professionalism of the Danish soldiers and their co-operation with Estonia and other Allies have helped to ensure the security of the entire NATO in our region,’ said Ratas. ‘Denmark’s strong presence can still be felt today in the Headquarters Multinational Division North in Latvia, in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing, and in the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence,’ the Prime Minister said, noting that Denmark and Estonia are also united in valuing the transatlantic connection.
Ratas and Frederiksen visited the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in Tapa today, where more than 200 Danes serve. According to Prime Minister Ratas, Estonia and Denmark both look beyond their borders and have repeatedly shown their readiness to take responsibility for global security. ‘For years, our soldiers served together in the most difficult conditions in southern Afghanistan. Today, we are both contributing to ensuring security and stability in Iraq and Mali,’ said the Prime Minister.
Speaking about Belarus, Ratas emphasised the need to keep the events there under the attention of the international community and to move forward as a matter of urgency with EU sanctions against those responsible for the violence and electoral fraud.
The Prime Ministers of Estonia and Denmark also spoke about the forthcoming European Council, which will also focus on the development of the European digital internal market. They also talked about climate issues and co-operation on renewable energy, in particular the construction of offshore wind farms, which could be extended to the entire Baltic Sea region. ‘We want to develop this cooperation with Denmark and learn from their long-term experience,’ said the Prime Minister.
The prime ministers also discussed the challenges of combating the spread of COVID-19 and resolving the health crisis.
Photos of the visit to Tapa: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stenbockimaja/albums/72157715924739706
Photos of the meeting at Stenbock House: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stenbockimaja/albums/72157715927872923/wit...
