Leaders of National Defence Committee at the meeting with their French counterparts: Allies have to agree on larger defence spending

Kaljulaid pointed out that due to the current security environment, it was necessary to increase defence investments in order to ensure having troops, military capabilities and reserves of sufficient readiness. “Estonia is about to adopt the National Security Concept of Estonia, which sets a target that defence spending must form at least three per cent of GDP,” the Chairman of the Committee said. “The objective should be that greater defence spending and enhancing collective defence will be agreed upon at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. The defence spending of NATO allies should be at least 2.5 per cent of GDP.”

Both sides confirmed their readiness to continue supporting Ukraine in every way. “Ukraine’s victory greatly depends on our support. French military assistance to Ukraine has been an example to other countries. We can support Ukraine even more also by putting economic pressure on Russia so that it would not be possible for the aggressor to gather strength for new attacks,” Kaljulaid said. “Only defeat on the battlefield will make Russia realise that there is no point in waging war.”

Kaljulaid thanked his French counterparts for France’s contribution to ensuring the security of Estonia and the Baltic States. France has sent its ground forces unit to Tapa, is participating in NATO’s Baltic air policing and is contributing to the establishing of the Estonian division.

Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu Raimond Kaljulaid and Deputy Chairman of the Committee Leo Kunnas participated in the meeting with Chairman of the National Defence and the Armed Forces Committee of the French National Assembly Thomas Gassilloud, Deputy Chairman of the Committee Jean-Louis Thiériot and member of the Committee Pierrick Berteloot. Ambassador of France in Estonia Eric Lamouroux also attended the meeting.

Photos of the meeting (Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
Phone: +372 631 6592, +372 510 6179
E-mail: merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Leaders of National Defence Committee at the meeting with their French counterparts: Allies have to agree on larger defence spending

Source: Parliament of Estonia