Estonia: President of the Riigikogu welcomes Polish airmen at Ämari Air Base

NordenBladet — Today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas visits Ämari Air Base, where he welcomes the airmen of the Polish Air Forces who started their service in NATO Baltic Air Policing mission at the beginning of this year.

Põlluaas emphasised that NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission was a part of collective defence for the preservation of peace and stability in our region.

“Estonia and Poland are firm allies both in NATO and in the European Union. We have similar historical experiences, values, and a common understanding of the current threats to security. We have a common neighbour – Russia – who has turned its back on international law and agreements, and is even trying to rewrite the real history to suit its own needs,” the President of the Riigikogu said.

According to Põlluaas, the recent accusation against Poland for having started World War II is just one example of this, as are Russia’s aggressions against Georgia and Ukraine. “We are resolutely condemning all such actions,” Põlluaas said. “All this reminds us every day that the security threat from the East has not disappeared. This is why we welcome wholeheartedly the help of our NATO allies in defending our borders.”

The President of the Riigikogu visits the Polish airmen, who took over the air policing duties from the Czech Air Force, together with Ambassador of Poland Grzegorz Kozłowski. They are accompanied by Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu and Chairman of the Estonian Defence Industry Support Group Andres Metsoja, and Chairman of the Estonia-Poland Parliamentary Group Aadu Must.

It is the first time Poland conducts air policing in Estonia. From January to April, the Estonian air space is guarded by four F-16 fighters of the Polish Air Forces. By today, 16 allies have contributed to the Baltic air policing. Nine of them have been based in Ämari: Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Source: Parliament of Estonia