NordenBladet —
Today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas held a video conference with President of the Congress of Deputies of Spain Meritxell Batet. They discussed the current security situation and cooperation in fighting against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Ratas believes that the allied relations between Estonia and Spain are closer than ever before. He thanked Spain for their contribution to the collective defence and air policing of the Baltic region and expressed hope that Spanish troops would return to Ämari Air Base next year. “In the present situation, it is important to continue strengthening NATO’s Eastern Flank, which is ensured by the permanent presence of the allies in the Baltic States,” Ratas noted.
“The attack of Putin’s regime against Ukraine is an extremely serious violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of another state as well as of the principles of international law,” Ratas said to his Spanish counterpart. “It threatens international peace and security. Ukraine is fighting not only for its state, but for the democracy and freedom of Europe and for the European values.”
Ratas assured that Estonia would continue to provide military, political, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. “Ukraine has shown extraordinary unity in fighting against Russia’s extensive military aggression,” Ratas said. “As allies, we have to continue supporting Ukraine. In the current situation, it is not possible to have any kind of dialogue with the aggressor.”
According to Ratas, it is important to tighten the sanctions and other measures against Russia to make the war in Ukraine as costly as possible. “Therefore, it is necessary to add more oligarchs and people responsible for the aggression in the list of sanctions, to cut Russia off from SWIFT network and to restrict their transactions in euros,” he pointed out. “The sanctions are necessary, even if they have a high price also for us.”
Ratas added that the allies must together do all they can in order to, on the one hand, to expel Russia from international organisations and assemblies and, on the other hand, to support Ukraine in its application for the EU and NATO membership. In his opinion, it is understandable that there can be no rapid accession process of Ukraine to the European Union. “The principles of the European Union enlargement policy remain valid, but at present our strong political message of support is crucial for the Ukrainians,” he said. “They need our support now more than ever before.”
At the video meeting, Ratas gave his Spanish counterpart an outline of Estonia’s activities in receiving war refugees. Both Speakers mutually reaffirmed the excellent relations between Estonia and Spain and discussed opportunities for cooperation in the development of cybersecurity and digital projects.
The President of the Congress of Deputies of Spain said that the Ukrainians were fighting for their freedom, but also for the European values, human rights and the international law. She acknowledged Ukraine’s neighbouring countries that bear a greater burden in assisting war refugees.
Photos of the meeting Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu
Source: Parliament of Estonia