NordenBladet —
According to Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson, a large part of the Committee’s activities are focused on exchanging information and providing explanations to allies in Europe and the United States in order to help Ukraine win the war of aggression initiated by Russia, but at the same time, there is also a need to strengthen contacts with like-minded countries further away. “In the current security policy situation, we have to maintain and strengthen relations with our allies in every corner of the world. Despite the distance, both Australia and New Zealand are our close partners, who are a part of the democratic world in the Pacific region, and who also are consistent supporters of Ukraine,” he said.
Mihkelson noted that the Foreign Affairs Committee had been paying close attention to developments in the Asian region for years, and last autumn, delegation of the Committee visited Taiwan and South Korea. “In New Zealand and Australia, the Foreign Affairs Committee focuses on strengthening bilateral relations. This is the first time that a delegation from an Estonian Parliamentary Committee has visited these countries. There is also a notable Estonian community in both countries,” he said.
Mihkelson added that the second, but equally important, aim of the visit was to gain an overview of the regional security situation, which had also been affected by Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. “We want to better understand the regional security situation there, and how New Zealand and Australia perceive the threats posed by China and Russia. Of course, we will also explain our views during the meetings,” he said.
The delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee, which consists of the Chairman, and members of the Committee Henn Põlluaas and Juku-Kalle Raid, will be on a visit to Australia and New Zealand from 21 October to 3 November.
In Auckland, the Estonian delegation will participate in the European Union – New Zealand Business Summit, where Mihkelson will speak at several panel discussions. The Estonian delegation will meet with Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select Committee of the Parliament of New Zealand Tim van de Molen and Minister of Trade Todd McClay, participate in a round table discussion at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, and meet with the local Estonian community.
In Sydney, Australia, the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee will meet members of the Ukrainian community of New South Wales. From Sydney, they will travel to Canberra. They will participate in a roundtable held at the Centre for European Studies of the Australian National University.
In Canberra, the delegation will also have meetings with the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, and the Australia-Estonia Parliamentary Friendship Group, as well as with Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Matt Thistlethwaite, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Jamie Isbister and First Assistant Secretary, Europe Division, of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Christian Hirst. They plan to participate in several conferences and roundtables organised by think tanks. The Estonian delegation will also visit the Estonian House and meet with the Estonian community.
For more information and comments, please contact:
Marko Mihkelson, +372 514 1442
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee will visit New Zealand and Australia
Source: Parliament of Estonia