Estonian Ministry of Defence Copyright (c) 2012 Kaitseministeerium http://www.mod.gov.ee/ RSS Feed en Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:53:04 +0200 <![CDATA[]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:36:35 +0200 ]]> <![CDATA[Estonia and Finland entered into a framework agreement on defence cooperation ]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:22:35 +0200 Today in Brussels, Minister of Defence Mart Laar signed a framework document on defence cooperation between Estonia and Finland with his colleague Stefan Wallin, setting the main areas of defence cooperation for the years 2012−2015.According to Minister of Defence Laar, more thorough defence cooperation between Estonia and Finland benefits further increase of safety in the Baltic Sea region. ”Exchanging information and experience with our northern neighbours also enhances implementation of the concept of smart defence not only in NATO, but also between NATO and the partner countries,” Laar said.
 
The framework document that was signed today sets out the main objectives and areas of defence cooperation between Estonia and Finland for the next four years. Under this agreement, current exchange of information will continue on the security situation at the Baltic Sea, defence planning, development of military capabilities, defence-related research and development, and cyber protection.
 
Cooperation will also continue in the fields of education and training of members of the Defence Forces, as well as the EU Battlegroups and NATO response forces.
 
Today and tomorrow, Minister of Defence Laar will participate in the meeting of NATO ministers of defence in Brussels. In addition to the meeting of the ministers of defence of the Alliance, a meeting of the Nordic Group ministers of defence was also held in Brussels today, in which the ministers of the Baltic countries, Nordic countries, Great Britain, Netherlands, Germany and Poland discussed further development of defence cooperation between the countries.
 
Laar also met the Bulgarian Minister of Defence Anu Anguelov today to discuss matters related to cyber defence.
 
The Minister of Defence is accompanied in Brussels by the Chief of the Defence Forces Brigadier General Riho Terras and Acting Undersecretary for Defence Policy Jonatan Vseviov.
 
On Saturday, Minister of Defence Laar and Brigadier General Terras will participate in the Munich Security Conference.
 
Additional information:
Peeter Kuimet
Press representative of the Ministry of Defence
Tel +372 717 0116 / +372 56 56 41 88
peeter.kuimet@kmin.ee
 
 
]]> <![CDATA[]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:01:55 +0200 ]]> <![CDATA[The Minister of Defence Laar met his Latvian colleague ]]> Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:04:03 +0200
Today, the Minister of Defence Mart Laar met his Latvian colleague Artis Pabriks in Riga and discussed the issues related to defence cooperation between the two countries.
The main topic of discussion was defence cooperation between Estonia and Latvia, including the joint projects like the Baltic Naval Squadron BALTRON and the Baltic Defence College.
 
Another topic discussed was the Chicago summit of NATO in spring, at which, among others, further development of the Baltic Air Defence Mission will be covered. Both Ministers of Defence said that they will go to the Chicago summit in May with relatively positive expectations.
 
”Baltic defence cooperation is a good example of the principle of smart defence, at the same time also being the only way for small countries – to do things together,” the Minister of Defence Laar said.
 
In Riga, the Minister of Defence also met Valdis Dombrovskis, the Prime Minister of Latvia, and Ainars Latkovskis, Chairman of the Sejm’s Commission on Defence. At the meetings, Mr Laar expressed his satisfaction over the principal decision of Latvia to start increasing its defence budget.
 
During the visit, the Minister of Defence Laar also gave a lecture to the students of the University of Latvia and the Riga Stradiņš University on the future and challenges of Baltic cooperation, followed by a public discussion with the Latvian Minister of Defence Pabriks.
 
 
Additional information:
Linda Raska
Public Affairs Department of the Ministry of Defence
Tel +372 717 0078
linda.raska@kmin.ee
]]> <![CDATA[The Government approved the Draft of the Defence Forces Service Act ]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:40:37 +0200
Today, the Government of the Republic approved the new single text of the Defence Forces Service Act and sent it for hearing at Riigikogu. The Act regulates daily service of active soldiers, conscripts, reservists and persons in alternative service.
The new single text of the Defence Forces Service Act was prepared by a broad-based working group led by regular members of the Defence Forces, including representatives of the Ministry of Defence, all services, the National Defence League and the Defence Resources Office.
 
Under the new Defence Forces Service Act, persons not liable to service in the Defence Forces will have an opportunity to serve in the Defence Forces voluntarily. For instance, for the first time, women will get an opportunity to serve the military service voluntarily, which has not been legally provided by legislation before.
 
The new Act will also make the health requirements to Members of the Defence Forces more flexible, in order to take the particularities of different posts into better consideration. 
 
Unlike the currently used system, professional members of the Defence Forces will be employed in service for a fixed term. In the future, only the members of the Defence Forces with at least 10 years of active service experience will be employed without a term.
 
As another change, the former Disciplinary Measures in Defence Forces Act will be added to the new Defence Forces Service Act, forming a separate chapter on discipline of the Defence Forces.
 
The package of social guarantees of active soldiers will remain substantially the same in comparison with the current Defence Forces Service Act. Moreover, the new Defence Forces Service Act will provide an opportunity to ensure psychological help, social counselling and rehabilitation for family members of the members of the Defence Forces who have fallen or been injured on a foreign mission.
 
The draft and explanatory memorandum of the new Defence Forces Service Act can be accessed at the information system of the Government drafts at http://eelnoud.valitsus.ee 
 
Additional information:
Peeter Kuimet
Press representative of the Ministry of Defence
Tel + 372 717 0116 / +372 56 56 41 88
peeter.kuimet@kmin.ee
]]> <![CDATA[Rasmussen acknowledged Estonian contribution to NATO cyber protection]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:33:15 +0200
Tonight Minister of Defence Mart Laar and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen visited NATO Cyber Defence Centre where Rasmussen acknowledged Estonia’s contribution to NATO cyber capabilities.
The Secretary General emphasised the importance of cyber defence in today’s world and considered it necessary to turn serious attention to it.
 
Mart Laar assured Estonia’s commitment to cyber defence and expressed hope that most of the NATO members will join the Cyber Defence Centre in future. The Minister of Defence also expressed hope that cyber defence will become one of the main topics of the NATO summit in Chicago.
 
”The Chicago summit should present a clear message that NATO has set an objective of establishing its cyber headquarters and declares that it will take a right to protect itself from cyber-attack with any means it finds necessary,” Mr Laar stated.
 
NATO Secretary General Rasmussen visits the Baltic countries today and tomorrow. Today, he delivered a public speech at Tallinn University and met Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet. Tomorrow morning, Mr Rasmussen will meet President Toomas Hendrik Ilves in Kadriorg.
 
Additional information:
Rauno Veri
Adviser of the Minister of Defence
+37205340 8908
 
Peeter Kuimet
Press representative of the Ministry of Defence
+372 5656 4188
]]> <![CDATA[The Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence was bestowed on the U.S. attaché leaving office ]]> Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:54:54 +0200 Today, Permanent Secretary of Defence of the Estonian Ministry of Defence Mikk Marran bestowed the third class of the Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence on U.S. Naval Attaché Commander Kip Henderson, who is leaving office, for promoting Estonian and U.S. defence co-operation.
According to Permanent Secretary Marran, the U.S. has made an invaluable contribution to the development of the Estonian Defence Forces, and Commander Henderson has effectively supported that co-operation over the last three years.
 
“Commander Henderson has helped to organise several large-scale international training exercises, high-level visits and more than ten visits by U.S. warships. This has led to a strengthening of Estonia’s relations and co-operation with our strategic partner, the United States,” said the Permanent Secretary of Defence of the Estonian Ministry of Defence.
 
Today, Marran also met with the new Naval Attaché, Commander Ronald Rios, to discuss the future of Estonian and U.S. defence co-operation.
 
Commander Henderson has served in Tallinn as Defence and Naval Attaché since November 2008 and as Naval Attaché since June 2010.
 
The Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence was established on 24 February 1998. Coming in three classes, the Cross of Merit is meant to be awarded to persons in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the national defence of the Republic of Estonia and in the construction and securing of national defence.

 
Additional information:
Peeter Kuimet
Press Officer, Ministry of Defence
Tel +372 717 0116 / +372 56 56 41 88
peeter.kuimet@kmin.ee
]]> <![CDATA[Statement concerning false information published in newsportal Delfi]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:32:58 +0200

Regarding the article “Laar intends to recognize men who fought in German uniform officially as freedom fighters” published in the Estonian online newsportal Delfi on December 27th 2011, the Estonian Ministry of Defence would like to make the following statement.
 

The government of the Republic of Estonia has not drafted nor will it draft something as absurd as a bill that would allow for honours to be given to Nazi collaborators.

The government of Estonia has given a task to the Ministry of Defence to prepare a bill to give recognition to persons who have fought for the restoration of the independence of Estonia. The fight against Nazi and Soviet totalitarian regimes was also a part of the Estonian fight for freedom and the decision of the government to honour the struggle for the restoration of Estonian independence is a natural and unequivocal choice. A number of member states of the European Union have approved similar bills to honour their resistance fighters. The exact wording of the bill will be drafted by spring of this year.

In addition, the Estonian Ministry of Defence would like to emphasize the following.

Estonia has been terrorized by the regimes of Nazi Germany and communist Soviet Union. The Republic of Estonia has officially condemned the atrocities and crimes of Nazism and Communism and has the intention to continue this policy. Estonia is pleased to notice that the same principles have been followed in Europe. The European Parliament has decided to condemn the crimes of the Communist regime along with the crimes of the Nazi regime.

In 1939 the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany concluded the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the secret protocols of which divided Central and Eastern Europe into respective spheres of influence. The same year Germany launched the Second World War with its attack on Poland and the Soviet Union started to fulfil its role by invading Poland from the east, at the same time concentrating large forces on the borders of the three Baltic States and Finland. The Soviet Union occupied Estonia along with Latvia and Lithuania in 1940.

The Soviet occupation was followed by Estonia’s occupation by Nazi Germany in July 1941. In September 1944 Estonia was again occupied by the Soviet Union. Estonia regained its independence in 1991. For the most part Estonians were forcedly mobilised by the totalitarian regimes that occupied Estonia what is against international law. Direct human losses during the Soviet and Nazi German occupations reached 180 000, which is 17.5 per cent of the nation’s population, and 90 000 of these people were killed.]]> <![CDATA[Those who fell during the Estonian War of Independence were commemorated at the foot of the Monument to the War of Independence]]> Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:37:12 +0200
Today at 10:30, a minute of silence was held on the occasion of the anniversary of the Estonian War of Independence Armistice, commemorating those who fell in the war for Estonia’s freedom.
On 3 January 1920 at 10:30, the armistice agreement between Estonia and Soviet Russia came into effect, marking the total victory of Estonia in the War of Independence.
 
In addition to the ceremony at the Monument to the War of Independence, units of the Estonian Defence Forces and units of the Estonian Defence League laid wreaths on monuments to the War of Independence across Estonia. The anniversary of the ceasefire was also celebrated with the sound of church bells ringing all over Estonia, with a minute of silence in radio programmes and the whistling of ships’ whistles at ports.
 
In his speech given at the ceremony, Minister of Defence Mart Laar emphasised that without the victory in the War of Independence, Estonians would not be living in their own country and probably would not be speaking Estonian, either. “Estonia has not won many wars, but we did manage to win this one, the most important one”, said Minister of Defence Laar.
 
In his speech, Henri Rästas, student of Tallinna Reaalkool (Tallinn Secondary Science School), commemorated schoolboys who fell in combat. “Today, just like at the time of the War of Independence, protecting our country is not the duty of the chosen few, but of the entire nation,” said Rästas.
 
In addition, Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Andres Põder led prayers at the ceremony.
 
The Estonian War of Independence, lasting from 28 November 1918 until 3 January 1920, ended with total victory by Estonia. In the War of Independence, Estonia lost more than 6000 people in combat, with approximately 14,000 wounded. Side by side with Estonians, German, Russian, Finnish, Danish, Jewish, Swedish, British, French and American soldiers also fought in the War of Independence, for the independence of Estonia.

Gallery of the ceremony »

Additional information:
Linda Raska
Chief Expert of the Public Affairs Department of the Ministry of Defence
Phone +372 7170078
linda.raska@kmin.ee

 
]]> <![CDATA[Anniversary of War of Independence Armistice celebrated tomorrw]]> Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:55:53 +0200
On 3 January, at 10.30, a moment of silence will take place to celebrate the anniversary of the War of Independence Armistice and commemorate those who fell in the war for Estonia’s freedom.
On 3 January 1920, at 10.30, the armistice agreement between Estonia and the Soviet Russia, marking the total victory of Estonia in the War of Independence, came into effect.
 
The anniversary of the Armistice will be celebrated with a ceremony tomorrow, at 10.30, at the War of Independence Victory Column, where Minister of Defence Mart Laar and Henri Rästas, student of Tallinn Secondary Science School, will give speeches and Andres Põder, Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, will lead prayers.
 
The anniversary of the Armistice will also be celebrated with the tolling of church bells across Estonia, a moment of silence on radio programmes and the blowing of ship’s horns in ports. Units of the Defence Forces and units of the National Defence League will place wreaths on monuments to the War of Independence across Estonia.

The War of Independence, lasting from 28 November 1918 to 3 January 1920, ended with total victory by Estonia. According to the data of the Union of Estonian War Graves Care, during the course of the War of Independence – until 1 March 1920 – a total of 6127 Estonian soldiers were killed in action, or died due to wounds or diseases, and 689 people were the victims of red terror.


Additional information:
Linda Raska
Chief Expert
Estonian MOD
Tel +372 7170078
]]> <![CDATA[Anniversary of War of Independence Armistice celebrated on 3 January ]]> Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:56:50 +0200 On 3 January, at 10.30, a moment of silence will take place to celebrate the anniversary of the War of Independence Armistice and commemorate those who fell in the war for Estonia’s freedom.
On 3 January 1920, at 10.30, the armistice agreement between Estonia and the Soviet Russia, marking the total victory of Estonia in the War of Independence, came into effect.
 
The anniversary of the Armistice will be celebrated with a ceremony on tuesday 3 January, at 10.30, at the War of Independence Victory Column, where Minister of Defence Mart Laar and Henri Rästas, student of Tallinn Secondary Science School, will give speeches and Andres Põder, Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, will lead prayers.
 
The anniversary of the Armistice will also be celebrated with the tolling of church bells across Estonia, a moment of silence on radio programmes and the blowing of ship’s horns in ports. Units of the Defence Forces and units of the National Defence League will place wreaths on monuments to the War of Independence across Estonia.

The War of Independence, lasting from 28 November 1918 to 3 January 1920, ended with total victory by Estonia. According to the data of the Union of Estonian War Graves Care, during the course of the War of Independence – until 1 March 1920 – a total of 6127 Estonian soldiers were killed in action, or died due to wounds or diseases, and 689 people were the victims of red terror.


Additional information:
Linda Raska
Chief Expert
Estonian MOD
Tel +372 7170078

]]> <![CDATA[The Ministry of Defence and the Defence Forces of Estonia celebrated Christmas together ]]> Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:41:29 +0200 At a joint Christmas ceremony, the Ministry of Defence, General Staff of the Defence Forces and the service staffs looked back on the ending year and celebrated Christmas with the children from Pärnu Children’s Village.At the ceremony Christmas carols were sung by the children of the children's village and the conscripts of the Defence Forces’ orchestra and Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence Mikk Marran gave the children of Pärnu Children’s Village Christmas presents from the Ministry and the General Staff.
 
The Ministry of Defence and the Defence Forces have been supporting the children of Pärnu Children’s Village through common events since 2008. As in previous years the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff held a common Christmas fair this year, where handicraft products made by the children of the village were sold for charity purposes. The children have also visited the training exercise Spring Storm of the Defence Forces and the dedication ceremony for the War of Independence Victory Column.
 
Secretary General Marran said that in many ways this working year coming to an end had been a year of major changes for the Ministry of Defence. “The Minister, Secretary General, three deputy secretary generals, also the Chief of the Defence Forces and the Chief of the General Staff changed. Amendments to the Constitution concerning national defence came into force and we started to develop the 10-year development plan of national defence,” said Secretary General Marran.
 
During the ceremony, Chief of the General Staff Colonel Peeter Hoppe said that co-operation between the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff has continued to improve over the last five years. “But this is natural, because our common goal is that Estonia is better protected today than it was yesterday,” said Colonel Hoppe.
]]> <![CDATA[]]> Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:55:45 +0200 ]]> <![CDATA[NATO Deputy Secretary General acknowledged Estonian national defence ]]> Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:24:49 +0200 Yesterday evening, Minister of Defence Mart Laar met with NATO Deputy Secretary General Claudio Bisogniero, who was visiting Estonia and acknowledged the contribution of the members of the Estonian Defence Forces in foreign missions and the decision of Estonia to increase the defence budget to 2% of gross domestic product. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has appointed Deputy Secretary General Bisogniero as the special envoy on smart defence issues. In Estonia, Bisogniero explained the concept of smart defence and discussed the possible smart defence-related projects to which Estonia could contribute.
 
According to Bisogniero, the current NATO air policing mission of the Baltic States is a great example of smart defence and he expressed hope that this mission will be made permanent in the near future.
 
Minister of Defence Laar noted that, in fact, the concept of smart defence is nothing new for Estonia. “During the past 15 years, in the development of our national defence, we have continuously found joint cooperation projects with other countries, as it has offered necessary solutions for less money, be it the Baltic Defence College, cooperation between the navies of the Baltic States or the contribution to the NATO Response Force with joint units”, said Laar.
 
“At the same time, I and Deputy Secretary General Bisogniero agreed that smart defence does not mean that one can start to invest less in national defence – all military capabilities still require proper investments,” added the Minister of Defence.
 
In addition, Deputy Secretary General Bisogniero acknowledged the significant contribution of the members of the Estonian Defence Forces in foreign missions and set Estonia as an example to other NATO member states for its determined decision to contribute 2% of the gross domestic product to national defence starting from 2012.

“When it comes to the budget increase, it is also important how this 2% will be used – the defence budget must, first and foremost, be directed at the enhancement of real combat power and smart solutions,” said Minister of Defence Laar.

At the meeting, the issues related to NATO’s Chicago summit, taking place in spring, as well as NATO-Russia relations, were also discussed.

Yesterday evening, the Deputy Secretary General also met with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Mikk Maran and gave a speech at the International Centre for Defence Studies.

Additional information:
Peeter Kuimet
Press Officer, Ministry of Defence
Phone 717 0116 / 56 56 41 88
peeter.kuimet@kmin.ee

 
]]> <![CDATA[Laar: Baltic air policing is a good example of smart defence ]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:35:01 +0200 Yesterday and today, Minister of Defence Mart Laar met with Minister of Defence of Denmark Nick Hækkerup who is visiting Estonia. The ministers agreed that the Baltic air policing mission is a good example of smart defence. At the meeting, the ministers also discussed issues related to the on-going defence reforms in Denmark, the defence environment of the Baltic Sea, cyber defence, the Multinational Corps North-East and the Danish presidency of the European Union.
 
Minister of Defence Laar thanked Denmark for its recurrent contributions to the Baltic air policing mission. “Both I and Minister of Defence Hækkerup found that the Baltic air policing mission is a good example of so-called smart defence, where countries jointly use more complex and more expensive military capabilities. I also hope that we will soon find a long-term solution within NATO to safeguard the airspace of the Baltic States,” said Minister of Defence Laar.
 
At present, and until the end of the year, the airspace of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is safeguarded by F-16 fighter aircraft of the Danish Air Force.
 
At the meeting, the ministers also discussed issues related to NATO’s Chicago summit taking place in the spring. “I agree with my Danish colleague that the European countries themselves must contribute to the protection of our security and we cannot rely on the military force of the United States of America alone,” said Laar.
 
This week, Minister of Defence of Denmark Hækkerup, who was appointed to office in October, is visiting the Baltic States. Last night, Hækkerup also laid a wreath at the foot of the Monument to the War of Independence.
]]> <![CDATA[Minister of Defence proposes Colonel Peeter Hoppe as Chief of the General Staff ]]> Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:27:55 +0200 After hearing the opinion of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu, Minister of Defence Mart Laar will submit a proposal to the Government to appoint Colonel Peeter Hoppe as the new Chief of the General Staff of the Defence Forces.

According to the Peace-Time National Defence Act, the Chief of the General Staff is appointed to office by the Government of the Republic on the proposal of the Minister of Defence and taking into consideration the opinion of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu. The previous Chief of the General Staff, Brigadier Riho Terras, took up the position of the Chief of the Defence Forces on Monday.

To find the candidate for the new Chief of the General Staff, Brigadier Terras prepared a list of officers who meet the requirements for this position and presented it to Minister of Defence Laar. After weighing the candidates, the Minister of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Forces unanimously decided to propose Colonel Peeter Hoppe as the candidate for the next Chief of the General Staff. At the moment, Colonel Hoppe is serving as the Deputy Chief of Operations of the General Staff.

According to Minister of Defence Laar, Colonel Hoppe has gone through all of the most important stages of an officer’s career during his long service and thus has excellent knowledge of the service, needs and developments of the Defence Forces.

“He also has valuable experience in international cooperation from his time spent at the NATO Allied Joint Force Command HQ Brunssum and thanks to his current position as the Deputy Chief of Staff, he will be definitely a worthy partner to Brigadier Terras in the further development and management of the Defence Forces,” said Minister of Defence Laar.

Peeter Hoppe (51) joined the Estonian Defence Forces in 1993 and started his service in the Kuperjanov Battalion as a platoon commander and worked his way up to the position of the commander of the same battalion. From 2000 to 2002, he served in the Operations Department of the General Staff, where he rose to become the Chief of Department. From 2002 to 2005, Colonel Hoppe was the Chief of Staff of the Army.

Colonel Hoppe is one of the initiators of the major military training exercise Kevadtorm (Spring Storm) and one of the authors of the current conscription training curriculum. He has also served at the NATO Allied Joint Force Command HQ Brunssum as the Chief of Section at the Planning Department, where he was responsible for integration issues.

From 2011, Colonel Hoppe has held the position of Deputy Chief of Operations of the General Staff, coordinating the work of the Information Department, Operations Department, Analysis and Planning Department and Signals Department of the General Staff as well as the work of the Estonian military representation at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.

Col. Hoppe graduated from the Tallinn Polytechnic Institute, the Finnish National Defence University, and the US Army War College and has defended his Master’s degree in military strategy at the US National Defense University.

Colonel Hoppe has been awarded the 5th class Order of the Cross of the Eagle, the Estonian Defence Forces Distinguished Service Decoration, 2nd class Cross of Merit of the Estonian MoD as well as Army and Defence League decorations.

Peeter Hoppe is married and has three sons.

Additional information:
Peeter Kuimet
Press Officer, Ministry of Defence
Tel: +372 717 0116 / +372 56 56 41 88
peeter.kuimet@kmin.ee

]]> <![CDATA[The new Chief of the General Staff will be chosen in the coming weeks]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:51:39 +0200 Minister of Defence Mart Laar and Chief of the Defence Forces Brigadier General Riho Terras began the search for the new Chief of the General Staff and agreed on the criteria which the next Chief of Staff must meet. They will present the candidate for the position of the next Chief of the General Staff to the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu and to the Government of the Republic, in the coming weeks. The previous Chief of the General Staff, Brigadier General Terras, took up the position of the Chief of the Defence Forces today.
 
According to the Peace-Time National Defence Act, the Chief of the General Staff is appointed to office by the Government on the proposal of the Minister of Defence, taking into consideration the opinion of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu; it is the Chief of Defence who makes a proposal to the Minister of Defence for the appointment of the Chief of the General Staff.
 
The Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence decided that the next Chief of the General Staff must have extensive knowledge of Estonia’s security policy and its development, extensive knowledge of the Defence Forces and the organisation of military defence, international service experience as part of an international staff or a foreign mission and experience with staff work, preferably at least at the level of head of department at the General Staff.
 
In addition, it was agreed that the members of the Defence Forces from among whom the new Chief of Staff must be chosen include all Generals in active service, Deputy Chiefs of the General Staff and chiefs of services and chiefs of staff of service's.
 
According to the decision of the Minister of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Forces, the Chief of Defence will soon present a list of possible candidates meeting these criteria. The jointly chosen candidate will be then presented to the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu, after which the Minister of Defence will present the candidate to the Government of the Republic.
 
 
Additional information:
Peeter Kuimet
Press Officer, Ministry of Defence
Tel: 717 0116 / 56 56 41 88
peeter.kuimet@kmin.ee
 
]]> <![CDATA[Ministers of Defence of the Baltic States met in Kaunas ]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:36:07 +0200 Yesterday and today, in Kaunas, Minister of Defence Mart Laar met with the Minister of Defence of Latvia Artis Pabriks and the Minister of Defence of Lithuania Rasa Jukneviciene, with whom he discussed issues related to the defence cooperation of the Baltic States.
At the meeting, the Chiefs of the Defence Forces of the three countries were given guidelines to analyse the possibilities how the Defence Forces could jointly and more efficiently use the larger military training areas of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
 
In addition, the ministers agreed at the meeting that in the future, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania could organise joint procurements to procure, first and foremost, ammunition, vehicles and personal equipment for the members of the Defence Forces.
 
According to Minister of Defence Mart Laar, it is important in the current complicated economic situation to find cross-border cooperation projects which, in the long run, would save the taxpayers money. “At the same time, it is important to ensure that this cooperation does not remain only on paper and at the level of agreements, but that these projects would be carried out in practice so that all parties can benefit from them,” said Laar.
 
The ministers emphasised the importance of spending 2% of GDP on the defence budget, the need for Lithuania and Latvia to move towards this goal, and the need for Estonia to maintain the achieved level of defence expenditure. Minister of Defence Laar was satisfied with the agreement and expressed hope that it would be carried out.
 
In addition, the Ministers of Defence discussed the possibilities to contribute to the NATO Response Force in the future, with joint land force and naval units; as they did in 2010, for example, when the joint infantry battalion of the Baltic States contributed to NRF-14. The ministers also discussed issues related to the air policing mission of the Baltic States.
 
The meetings of the Ministers of Defence of the Baltic States take place twice a year. The next meeting of the Ministers of Defence will take place in the spring, in Estonia.


Additional information:
Peeter Kuimet
Press Officer, Ministry of Defence
Tel. 717 0116 / 56 56 41 88
peeter.kuimet@kmin.ee
 
]]> <![CDATA[The Officers’ School celebrated Citizen’s Day with secondary school students and the Minister of Defence]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:46:16 +0200 Today, on the occasion of Citizen’s Day, at the open day of the Officers’ School of the Estonian National Defence College, Minister of Defence Mart Laar gave a lecture to more than 200 secondary school students, conscripts and cadets.
“The defence of a country is not merely a military matter, as the world has become more complicated and no problem can be solved with military force alone,” said Minister of Defence Mart Laar. “We cannot build an Estonia that is different from the everyday, peace-time Estonia, solely for the purposes of a war. Our country and its institutions must be able to function both in normal situations and during a crisis,” said the Minister of Defence, emphasising the need for cooperation with other government structures as well as the private sector.

At the open day, cadets provided guests with a tour of the studying and living conditions of the Officers’ School, the arms and equipment of the Defence Forces and the military museum. In total, nearly 500 secondary school students, members of the National Defence League and conscripts from all over Estonia visited the Officer’s School today.

The Officers’ School of the Estonian National Defence College organises open days to promote national defence education once a month all year round. This year, more than 1500 secondary school students have visited the Officers’ School during open days. This semester, those who are interested still have a chance to see the life and activities of cadets, on the 15th of December.

The Estonian National Defence College is the only institution of higher education in Estonia that is specialised in national defence, training officers for the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League. The Basic Officers Training Course of the Officers’ School of the Estonian National Defence College gives cadets the basic skills of an officer, professional higher education in the field of military leadership and the rank of Second Lieutenant. The period of study is three years in the field of the Army, three years in the field of the Navy in cooperation with the Estonian Maritime Academy, and three and a half years in the field of the Air Force in cooperation with the Estonian Aviation Academy.
]]> <![CDATA[Laar: the aim of the Centre is to become NATO’s main cyber defender ]]> Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:33:23 +0200
According to the Minister of Defence Mart Laar, joining of USA and Poland makes the NATO Cyber Defence Centre even more capable and sets a good example to other countries.
”We have been waiting for this day for a long time – national flags of the USA and Poland will be hoisted in front of the NATO Cyber Defence Centre. In the history of the Cyber Defence Centre, this is one of the most important milestones for becoming the main source of cyber defence expertise of the whole NATO,” the Minister of Defence Laar said.
 
According to the Minister of Defence Laar, the USA has made a strong contribution to the development of the Centre since it was formed. ”Joining of the USA and Poland makes the Centre even more capable and sets an example to the other Member States of the Alliance, whom we would also gladly welcome as members of our Centre,” Laar said.
 
Today, a formal ceremony was held at the NATO Cyber Defence Centre, celebrating the joining of the USA and Poland. Together with Poland and the USA, the Centre now consists of ten member countries that participate in everyday work and management of the Centre.
 
The member countries send their experts and scientists to work at the Centre, participate in preparing a work schedule and make their contribution to the budget of the Centre. In addition to Poland and the USA, the members of the Centre include Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and Spain.
 
Additional information:
 
Peeter Kuimet
Press representative of the Ministry of Defence
Tel 717 0116 / 5656 4188
peeter.kuimet@kmin.ee
]]> <![CDATA[Minister of Defence Mart Laar conveys his condolences to the family of the member of the Estonian Defence Forces killed in a traffic accident ]]> Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:01:47 +0200 Minister of Defence Mart Laar conveyed his condolences today to the family of Martin Tiik, a member of the Estonian Defence Forces killed in a traffic accident during the discharge of service duties.
“A tragic accident has bereft us of Junior Warrant Officer Martin Tiik who, in spite of his young age, was able to serve our nation with dignity in both Estonia and in battles in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our traffic conditions are hazardous, and the Defence Forces, part and parcel of the Estonian society, are not, alas, immune from such tragic incidents. I would like to convey my sincerest condolences to Junior Warrant Officer Tiik’s family and fellow servicemen and to wish a speedy recovery for the official of the Defence Forces injured in the accident,” Minister of Defence Mart Laar said. 
 
Junior Warrant Officer Tiik, who was serving in the Kalevi Infantry Battalion, was killed this afternoon in an accident on the Keila-Haapsalu Highway in which a heavy goods vehicle collided with a 4WD vehicle of the Defence Forces. The passenger in the 4WD, an official of the Defence Forces, was taken to a hospital.
 
Junior Warrant Officer Tiik was born in 1980. He completed his compulsory military service in the Kalevi Infantry Battalion and then entered service in the Baltic Battalion and later in the Scouts Battalion.
 
Junior Warrant Officer Tiik had engaged in combat in Iraq, assigned to Estpla-8, and in Afghanistan, assigned to Estcoy-6, and served in Kosovo, assigned to Estpatrol-7. His last position was Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in the Operations Section of the Kalevi Infantry Battalion.
 
Junior Warrant Officer Tiik had been awarded the Estonian Defence Forces Distinguished Service Decoration for Battlefield Service, the Ministry of Defence Medal of Participant in International Military Operations, the NATO ISAF Medal and the Kalevi Infantry Battalion Pin.]]> <![CDATA[Laar: Nordic Battle Group important for Nordic-Baltic Cooperation]]> Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:27:36 +0200 Minister of defence Mart Laar met with Swedish minister of defence Sten Tolgfors on the sidelines of the Nordic-Baltic defence ministers’ meeting in Örebro to discuss issues concerning Estonian-Swedish bilateral cooperation, regional cooperation as well as cooperation within the European Union.
On Estonian-Swedish relations, the ministers noted the positive increase in the countries’ bilateral defence cooperation. „Estonia and Sweden share interests and values. It is of utmost importance that we increase our bilateral cooperation in as many practical areas as possible,“ stated minister Laar.

The ministers also noted the positive developments in Nordic-Baltic defence cooperation, and pointed at many promising cooperation areas like joint procurements, military education and training.

Minister Laar stressed the importance of the EU Nordic Battle Group in the development of our defence cooperation, and thanked Sweden for its leadership role. Minister Laar stated that Estonia hopes that Sweden will be able to continue this crucial role, and said that Estonia remains committed to contributing to a Swedish-led Nordic Battle Group in 2014.

„The Nordic Battle Group is important not only for the EU, but for the Nordic-Baltic cooperation and our bilateral relations in general. It is important that we continue with this very successful project,“ said Laar.

Both sides concurred that experience gained from the previous Nordic Battle Groups have been rewarding.

Minister Laar participates at the Nordic-Baltic Defence ministers meeting in Örebro on 15-16 November. Additionally, the Nordic-Baltic ministers met with the US Assistant Deputy Secretary of Defence as well as the representatives of the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany and the Netherlands.]]> <![CDATA[Laar: Europe’s cyber defence capability must increase]]> Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:21:59 +0200 At the meeting of Nordic-Baltic Chiefs of Defence, in Sweden, Minister of Defence Mart Laar stated that the European Union has greater potential for cyber defence than is currently being utilized.According to Laar, a comprehensive European Union cyber defence policy, as well as direct cyber defence cooperation, is needed. “Under the proposal from Estonia, the Ministers of Defence agreed to form a work group that will present specific suggestions on this topic to the Nordic-Baltic Chiefs of Defence next year,” Laar said.
 
Minister of Defence Laar considers it important to strengthen the level of protection of computer networks used on military missions, by establishing a special cyber defence unit.
 
The Minister of Defence discussed enhancing cyber defence cooperation at the meeting of the Ministers of Defence of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland, in Örebro, Sweden.
 
Additional information:
 
Rauno Veri
Adviser to the Minister of Defence
Tel +372 5340 8908
rauno.veri@kmin.ee
]]> <![CDATA[Laar: cutting back defence expenditures will not solve economic problems]]> Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:28:20 +0200 At today’s meeting of the Nordic-Baltic Chiefs of Defence and United States Deputy Secretary of Defence Alexander Vershbow, the need for increasing defence expenditures was emphasised.According to Minister of Defence Mart Laar, the cutting of defence expenditures would not solve the economic problems of countries, but would instead only offer a temporary solution and create additional problems in the future.
 
“World history has not ended, countries still need to constantly address their safety and security as well,” Laar said.
 
According to Laar, we should take the opportunity to learn from history in this matter: the countries that do not contribute to their safety today will have to do so in the future, spending a great deal more than they initially saved in the short term.
 
“We need to keep our promises and agreements, because these are the pillars on which our partnership and cooperation are based,” the Minister of Defence said.
 
Minister of Defence Laar emphasised that Estonia will perform its duties as a part of NATO, by making significant contributions to both collective defence and primary defence capability.
 
He also emphasised renewal of the Estonian Long-Term Defence Development Plan, underlining the need for increasing the effectiveness of existing military capabilities, increasing monitoring capacity, bringing Ämari Air Base into a full state of readiness and the managing structure of the Defence Forces into conformity with the needs and possibilities of Estonia.
 
 
Additional information:
Rauno Veri
Adviser to the Minister of Defence
Tel +372 5340 8908
rauno.veri@kmin.ee
]]> <![CDATA[Laar met with the Commander of NATO’s Allied Command Transformation]]> Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:01:56 +0200 Yesterday, in Norfolk, Minister of Defence Mart Laar met with the Commander of NATO’s Allied Command Transformation, General Stéphane Abrial, with whom he discussed issues related to the forthcoming Chicago summit, smart defence and cyber defence. “Smart defence should not lead to a decrease in defence expenditures, which unfortunately has already happened in a number of European countries. Just the opposite: in order to cope with present-day security risks, the financial input to national defence must be real and final solutions must be smart,” said Laar at the meeting with General Abrial.
 
General Abrial agreed that a good example of such an approach is the Baltic air‑policing mission.
 
NATO’s Supreme Allied Command Transformation (SACT), based in Norfolk, is one of NATO’s two strategic commands. The SACT is responsible for the development and transformation of NATO as well as training. Another command, the Allied Command Operations based in Europe, leads the on-going NATO operations in Afghanistan and in other conflict centres.
 
The Minister of Defence will return to Estonia tomorrow.
 
Additional information:
Peeter Kuimet
Press Officer, Ministry of Defence
Phone 717 0116 / 56 56 41 88
peeter.kuimet@kmin.ee

]]> <![CDATA[Laar met with the Under Secretary Flournoy]]> Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:41:06 +0200 Today, at the Pentagon, Minister of Defence Laar met with Under Secretary Michèle Flournoy, who acknowledged Estonia for the planned increase in the defence budget to two per cent of gross domestic product. At the meeting, among other topics, Laar and Flournoy discussed issues related to bilateral defence cooperation between Estonia and the USA, NATO’s Chicago summit, taking place in the spring, NATO’s collective defence, cyber defence and the Baltic air-policing mission.
 
At the meeting, Under Secretary of Defence for Policy of the United States Flournoy thanked Estonia for its planned defence budget increase to two per cent of gross domestic product, which sets an example for all of NATO during these difficult times. Flournoy also acknowledged Estonia for its remarkable contribution to foreign missions and to the development of cyber defence.
 
After the meeting, Minister of Defence Laar said that as a member of NATO Estonia is not only interested in enjoying security, but also in contributing to security. “Cyber defence is a good example of a field where Estonia’s opinions are welcomed and taken into account and where Estonia is considered one of the “big NATO countries”,” said Laar.
 
Today, Minister of Defence Laar will also visit NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (ACT), based in Norfolk, and discuss issues related to the cooperation of the NATO Cyber Defence Centre in Tallinn and ACT with General Stéphane Abrial, Commander of Allied Command Transformation.
 
The Minister of Defence will return to Estonia on Thursday.
 
Additional information:
Peeter Kuimet
Press Officer, Ministry of Defence
Tel +372 717 0116 / +372 56 56 41 88
peeter.kuimet@kmin.ee
]]> <![CDATA[Laar: we will not allow our internet freedom to be restricted]]> Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:31:25 +0200 In his keynote address at a cyber defence conference in the USA, Minister of Defence Laar emphasised the need for cooperation in the field of cyber defence in order to defend our freedoms and fundamental rights.
Today, Minister of Defence Laar took part in a high-level cyber defence conference organised jointly by the Ministry of Defence of Estonia and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where, among other topics, he presented the Estonian experience in coping with cyber-attacks and risks.
 
In his address, Minister Laar focused on how the internet is one of the most powerful carriers of freedom in today’s world. “Often, the objective of the attacks by totalitarian countries is to force us into taking steps that would restrict internet freedom – we will not let this happen,” said Minister of Defence Laar.
 
According to Laar, security and safety in cyber space can only be ensured through cooperation, which is based upon four pillars. 1. The cooperation of the state with its citizens to enhance the security of privately owned computers against malware. 2. The cooperation of the state with the private sector, a good example of which is the Cyber Defence League operating in Estonia. 3. Cooperation between various state authorities, to ensure the ability of the state as a whole to protect itself in cyber space. 4. International cooperation, which has to ensure that we are able to confront cross-border threats together, as there is no other option.
 
Another speaker at the conference was former US Deputy Secretary of Defence William Lynn, who thanked Estonia for the leading role it has taken in the field of cyber defence and emphasised that cyber-attacks are a real threat that is spreading. Besides military risks, Lynn emphasised the extent of potential economic damage of cyber-attacks.
 
Tomorrow, Laar will meet with Michèle Flournoy, Under Secretary of Defence for Policy, with whom he will discuss issues related to the future of NATO and defence expenditures, cyber defence and the air policing of the Baltic States.

In addition, Minister of Defence Laar will visit NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (ACT), based in Norfolk, and discuss issues related to the cooperation of  the NATO Cyber Defence Centre in Tallinn and ACT with Stéphane Abrial, Commander of Allied Command Transformation General.

The Minister of Defence will return to Estonia on Thursday.


Additional information:
Linda Raska
Chief Expert of the Ministry of Defence Public Affairs Department
Tel +372 7170078
linda.raska@kmin.ee
]]> <![CDATA[]]> Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:23:29 +0200 ]]> <![CDATA[]]> Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:22:08 +0200 ]]> <![CDATA[Laar met with his Finnish counterpart]]> Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:17:20 +0300 Today, Minister of Defence Mart Laar met with Minister of Defence of Finland Stefan Wallin, who was visiting Estonia. The ministers agreed upon establishing a four-year plan regarding cooperation between the two countries.
At their meeting, Laar and Wallin ordered that a four-year framework document on defence cooperation between Estonia and Finland be prepared by February, defining the main areas and objectives of cooperation.

“Defence cooperation between Estonia and Finland has been very close and beneficial already since the 1990s. With the four-year cooperation plan, we are hoping to raise these relations to a new level, to save the money of both Estonian and Finnish taxpayers via joint activities,” said Minister of Defence Laar.

“A perfect example of previous cooperation between Estonia and Finland is the joint procurement contract on air surveillance radars, thanks to which Estonia gets two radars for the price of one,” added Laar.

At the meeting, the ministers also discussed issues related to the cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries, European Union Battle Groups, the Afghanistan operation and cyber defence.

“Finland is very interested in Estonia’s experiences in the field of cyber defence, and a closer exchange of information in the field was agreed upon at the meeting”, said Minister of Defence Laar.

Minister of Defence of Finland Wallin will leave Estonia tonight.


Additional information:
Peeter Kuimet
Press Officer
MoD Estonia
Tel +372 717 0116 / +372 56 56 41 88
peeter.kuimet@kmin.ee ]]>