NordenBladet —
The meetings in the Parliament of Norway focused on further assistance to Ukraine, and it was considered especially important that as many countries as possible ensured providing long-term support to Ukraine. Hussar acknowledged Norway for recently concluding the bilateral security agreement and said that Estonia was also planning to conclude a similar agreement. “With this political agreement, we confirm the continuation of Estonia’s long-term and comprehensive support to Ukraine, which will include military assistance to Ukraine amounting to at least 0.25 per cent of GDP over the next four years,” he said.
Speaking of holding Russia accountable for war crimes, Hussar mentioned the Act passed by the Riigikogu in the middle of May that allowed to use the assets of persons in Russia, which had been frozen under international sanctions, for compensating the war damages caused to Ukraine. He called on other allies to move on with the creation of a relevant legal regulation. Besides Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, joint response to Russia’s hybrid attacks was also discussed at the meetings.
Preparations for the NATO Summit that will be held in Washington in July, including increasing national defence spending and strengthening defence capabilities, were also spoken about at the meetings. Good bilateral relations were acknowledged, and the need to further develop the cooperation between the Nordic Countries and the Baltic States was recognised.
Today, Hussar also visited the University of Oslo and the headquarters of Orkla Group, and in the evening he met with the Estonians living in Norway at the Embassy of Estonia. Tomorrow, he will travel to Bodø with First Vice President of the Storting Svein Harberg. Bodø is located north of the Arctic Circle, and this year bears the title of the European Capital of Culture along with Bad Ischl and Tartu.
In Bodø, the Hussar will meet with Mayor Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen and Deputy Chair of the County Government Marianne Dobak Kvensjø, and open the exhibition of the most beautiful Estonian books in Stormen Library. He will also visit the Norwegian Joint Headquarters to get an overview of the security situation in Northern Europe and the Arctic Region and the development plans of the Norwegian Armed Forces, and go to the Norwegian Aviation Museum and Nordland Cultural Centre.
The President of the Riigikogu is accompanied on the visit by Vice-President of the Riigikogu, Chairman of the Estonia-Norway Parliamentary Friendship Group Toomas Kivimägi and member of the Parliamentary Friendship Group Kristina Šmigun-Vähi.
Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Hussar discussed supporting Ukraine and cooperation in NATO in Norway
Source: Parliament of Estonia