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Helena-Reet Ennet

Helena-Reet Ennet
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Prime Ministers of Finland and Estonia meet in Tallinn

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas met in Tallinn on Monday 7 March. In their meeting, the prime ministers discussed the security situation in Europe, cooperation on topical EU matters and bilateral relations between Finland and Estonia. A report on opportunities for developing Finnish-Estonian cooperation was published in connection with the visit.“In our meeting, we expressed our shared concern about Ukraine. Russia must stop its military actions immediately. Finland and Estonia stand together with the other EU Member States in defending Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty. Our thoughts are with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, and we are taking action to support them. Finland has provided Ukraine with financial and humanitarian assistance, and with protective equipment and arms,” Prime Minister Marin said at a press conference in Tallinn.In connection with their meeting, the prime ministers received a report on Finnish-Estonian relations, which was commissioned jointly by the countries’ governments and has been drawn up over the past year. The study was led by former ministers Anne-Mari Virolainen from Finland and Jaak Aaviksoo from Estonia with support from the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA) and the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute (EFPI). The report offers recommendations on the future development of cooperation between Finland and Estonia in areas such as the economy, the green transition, digital cooperation, culture and education. The recommendations presented in the report will be discussed by various parties, including between the two countries’ governments.During her visit, Prime Minister Marin also met with Speaker of the Estonian Parliament Jüri Ratas. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

EU telecommunications ministers discuss cyber security

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The French Presidency of the Council of the European Union organises an informal meeting of telecommunications ministers on 8-9 March 2022 in Paris and in Nevers. In the meeting, Finland will be represented by Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.The meeting will focus on such matters as developing cyber security, strengthening resilience and combating disinformation. The ministers will also discuss the challenges of hybrid warfare and the security of communications channels and networks.“A functioning society requires safe networks and data protection. By ensuring information security, we are covered by a national home insurance,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.“The war in Ukraine will have effects in the cyber environment, too. In both Finland and the EU, we are prepared to secure out networks in all situations,” Minister Harakka says.The new EU Cybersecurity Strategy was adopted in 2020. The EU has taken determined action to improve information and network security, including 5G cyber security, by reforming the Network and Information Security Directive and by issuing several data initiatives.Nationally, the development of cyber security has been guided by the cyber security strategies for 2013 and 2019. In summer 2021, a cyber security development programme and the Government resolution on improving information security and data protection in critical sectors of society were released.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Live webcast: Press Conference of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra and Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — At the meeting, the Ministers will focus on the Ukraine crisis and the rapidly changing security situation in Europe. Follow the live webcast of the press conference at 13.40.Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Wopke Hoekstra, who will pay a visit to Helsinki on 7 March. Follow the live webcast of the press conference at 13.40.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Legislation on Finland’s preparedness to provide and receive international assistance to be reviewed

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to review the legislation within the mandate of the Ministry of the Interior concerning the provision and reception of international assistance.In August 2021, Finland sent a Defence Forces unit to Kabul International Airport to protect the people being evacuated from Afghanistan to Finland and to support the civilians carrying out the Finnish evacuation operation. The legislation within the mandate of the Ministry of the Interior will be reviewed to ensure that Finland will be prepared, if necessary, to send public authorities in its branch of government abroad without a request from a foreign state.The authorities of the Ministry of the Interior’s branch of government could be sent abroad to support another Finnish authority in cases such as the evacuation situation in Afghanistan. The tasks of those posted abroad would include protecting and assisting Finnish citizens and bringing them to safety or safeguarding other interests that are very important to Finnish citizens. The principles of international law would always be taken into account when posting authorities.The project will take a broad view in identifying also other situations that fall or may fall within the Ministry’s mandate and the related legislative needs in such situations.   The project term is from 4 March to 31 December 2022.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Danish troops and equipment arrive in Estonia

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

A transport ship, carrying Piranha V armoured personnel vehicles and other equipment for the Danish Defence Forces docked in Paldiski harbour this morning, marking the return of Danish forces to the enhanced Forward Presence/NATO Battlegroup in Estonia.

Next week, Danish troops from the Viking Company; a part of the Jutland Dragoon Regiment, will arrive to Amari airbase and deploy to Tapa. There they will become a part of the UK-led NATO Battlegroup and integrate with the Estonian 1st Brigade.

“The Danish Defence Forces have been a part of NATO’s Battlegroup here in Estonia since 2018. The last contingent left in March 2021, and now we are returning, thereby reaffirming our commitment to the NATO Battlegroup, the deterrence of any adversaries and to the defence of Estonia,” says Major Michael Krogsgaard, Denmark’s Senior National Representative to the NATO mission in Estonia. “I know that the Danish soldiers and officers are highly motivated and very much looking forward to training and serving here in Estonia with our colleagues from the Estonian 1st Brigade as well as the British and French troops.”

The Danish Royal Army’s Viking Company of about 150 troops will formally replace the French 5e Dragons Regiment as the additional element in the NATO Battlegroup in Tapa. Another 70 Danish troops will serve in logistics and as military police officers.

The Viking Company consists of three mechanized infantry platoons with Piranha V armoured personnel carriers, logistical detachment, a sniper section and a forward-based Fire Observer team, able to call for indirect fires.

At the Warsaw Summit in June 2016, the leaders of NATO’s 28 members decided to deploy NATO battlegroups to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland due to the changed security environment. The leading country of the NATO Battlegroup in Estonia is the United Kingdom, with France and Denmark as contributing countries. Iceland also contributes to the mission. The first battle group arrived in Tapa in April 2017.

Gallery

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Development ministers to discuss the humanitarian situation in Ukraine

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — EU development ministers will hold an informal meeting in Montpellier, France, on 7 March 2022. The meeting will focus on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and on the EU’s actions in the current situation. Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will represent Finland at the meeting.The humanitarian situation in Ukraine is deteriorating as the Russian invasion continues. It is important that the EU and its Member States coordinate their humanitarian support to Ukraine. A particular challenge is to ensure that assistance reaches its destination in the midst of the war.“Finland is continuing to support Ukraine. It is important to respond to the needs of the civilian population, especially women and children, during the crisis. As a European community of values, we must also ensure the protection of those fleeing the war and support communities receiving refugees in the neighbouring countries of Ukraine. All our efforts to support Ukraine must be coordinated,” says Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.Ministers will also examine more thoroughly the role of development policy as a geopolitical tool in strengthening the EU’s global role and in promoting the EU’s fundamental values. The discussion will be based on the new Global Gateway Strategy and the opportunities it offers for creating sustainable growth in developing countries. The recent EU–African Union Summit announced an investment package of EUR 150 billion for Africa within the framework of the Global Gateway initiative. The geopolitical situation and the COVID-19 pandemic have further accentuated the importance of the partnership between the EU and Africa. Finland supports considerable investments by the EU in the green transition, digitalisation and sustainable development that creates jobs in Africa.Ministers will also discuss the promotion of biodiversity in development policy. It is likely that the discussion will focus on increasing the EU’s and the Member States’ funding for biodiversity. The World Environment Facility (GEF) is the main funding instrument for biodiversity for Finland.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Exercise Saber Strike brings US, UK and Finnish Air Defence units to Estonia

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Exercise Saber Strike Estonian phase will commence on 7th March at Central Training Area and northern coast of Estonia , where US, UK, Finnish and Estonian units exercise Air Defence.

“During Saber Strike, we’re conducting air and missile defense training with our NATO Allies,” said U.S. Army Col. Patrick Thompson, 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade commander. “This training helps build inoperability among our NATO Allies and partners.”

US 10th AAMD will carry out live fire exercise from new Stryker-based Air Defence system. This is the first time when 10th AAMD uses this system outside its  base in Germany.

Helsinki Air Defence Regiment, US, UK and Estonian Air Defence units, Belgian, UK and Polish fighters, Estonian training jets L-39 and transportation aircraft M-28.

„This is the first time for Estonian Air Defence to lead a complex exercise which incorporates middle and short range air defence systems, communication systems of different countries supported by air assets, said LTC Tanel Lelov, commanding officer of EST Air Defence Battalion.“ Saber Strike will test readiness of our Command and control systems as well as skills and knowldege“.

Helsnki ir Defence Regiment will bring to Estonia NASAMS mid range air defence system, US will present new Stryker based air defence systems, Estonian will use Mistral air defence weapons.

Saber Strike is a US-led multinational exercise held since 2010. Saber Strike started on February 28 in wiesbaden with practicing units road march from Wiesbaden, Germany to exercise places in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Poland and Czech Republic.  Altogether 13 000 service members from 13 countries will take part of the exercise. This years exercise takes place in winter time that enables to practice in austere conditions. Training activities this year include live fire exercises, raiway operations, aerial resupply, air defence and air assault exercises.

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff visited Estonia

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Lieutenant General Martin Herem, Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, met today in Ämari with General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff , to discuss the security situation, strengthening NATO’s Eastern wing and ways to support Ukraine and end Putin’s war.

“All our discussions in recent days have focused on how to better help Ukraine and end this unjustified Russian aggression against an independent Ukrainian state, “said Lieutenant General Martin Herem, adding that although the threat of war in Estonia is low, the Allies are constantly monitoring the situation and ready to further support the region.

In Ämari, General Milley met with the leadership of the Estonian Defense Forces and the members of the U.S. military serving in Estonia.

“The United States military has deployed forces in support of NATO Allies and partners, to assure our commitment to NATO and deter Russian aggression” said Milley. “Our commitment to NATO is ironclad, and we will fulfill our duties and responsibilities as an Article 5 member.”

The Estonian Defense Forces has so far supported Ukraine with, among other things, missiles of anti-tank system Javelin, 122-millimeter howitzers, anti-tank mines, ammunition and food rations. Estonia will continue to provide both lethal and non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine.

Last week, the Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson and NATO Allied Commander General Tod D. Wolters, Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, and representatives of the NATO Multinational Corps Northeast and the Multinational Division North.

On February 24, the Russian Federation launched a full-scale military operation against Ukraine. This is a gross and unprovoked aggression against an independent state that violates international law. On the same day, the Allies decided to activate NATO Defense Plans, a proactive step to ensure that Allied forces and military capabilities are in place at the right time.

NATO and the United States have made strong decisions to strengthen security in the Baltic region. The US is stepping up deterrence in the Baltic and Polish regions by sending fifth-generation F-35 fighters, AH-64 assault helicopters and an 800-member unit to the Baltic Sea.

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Statement of the European Union Affairs Committees of the Baltic States in support of Ukraine

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian delegations participating in the Plenary Meeting of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for European Union Affairs of Parliaments of the EU (COSAC) adopted a joint statement in support of Ukraine. The Statement calls on giving Ukraine clear European Union perspective and finding a unified way for easing access to labour market, education and medical aid for the Ukrainian refugees. The signatories also call on Russia and Belarus to create humanitarian corridors for safe movement of civilians and humanitarian aid.

The Statement:

“We, representing the European Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the Estonian, Lithuanian and the Latvian Republics:

  • welcome and support the Presidential Troika statement in support of Ukraine attacked by the Russian Federation;
  • strongly condemn the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine as Russia continues the military attack on Ukraine and Ukrainian civilians;
  • welcome the level of solidarity shown by the member states and the EU institutions in their unified response towards in both sanctioning the aggressor and helping the Ukrainian people;
  • call on the member states to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate country of the European Union and give Ukraine a strong and clear European Union membership perspective;
  • call on the member states to substantially increase the financial support to Ukraine and its people through the European Peace Facility;
  • call on the member states to provide protection to the Ukrainian refugees and to quickly find a unified way to ease their access to job market, education, health care and to other vital services;
  • call on Russia and Belarus to create humanitarian corridors that ensure the free and safe movement of civilians and delivery of humanitarian ”

On behalf of the Estonian delegation, the Statement was signed by member of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Margit Sutrop. The Estonian delegation also includes members of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Tarmo Kruusimäe, Anti Poolamets, Riina Sikkutand Timo Suslov.

The Plenary Meeting of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union was held in Paris, France, from 3 to 5 March.

Statement of the Baltic States

Declaration of the Presidential Troika of COSAC

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Sweden’s Prime Minister and Minister for Defence to visit Finland

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson and Sweden’s Minister of Defence Peter Hultqvist will visit Finland on Saturday 5 March.Prime Minister Andersson and Minister for Defence Hultqvist will meet President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö, Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen. The topics of their joint discussion will include Russia’s warfare in Ukraine, the changed security situation in Europe, and cooperation between Finland and Sweden.
 
The Prime Ministers will additionally have a bilateral meeting, the topics of which include the security situation in Europe, economic issues and other topical EU affairs. The Ministers of Defence will also conduct a bilateral discussion.
 
Further information: Jari Luoto, Prime Minister’s State Under-Secretary for European Affairs, tel. +358 50 468 5949, Lauri Voionmaa, Special Adviser (international affairs), tel. +358 295 160 306, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office; Riikka Hietajärvi, Communications Specialist, tel. +358 50 304 7997, Office of the President of the Republic; Ministry of Defence, Miikka Pynnönen, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 140 117

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

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