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The President of the Republic thanked the Riigikogu for their cooperation in appointing the new Commander of the Defence Forces

05.12.2006

Today, the Riigikogu appointed Major-General Ants Laaneots as the new Commander of the Defence Forces. Thereafter, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves sent a letter to Toomas Varek, the Chairman of the Riigikogu, to thank the parliament for their productive cooperation in quickly solving the question of leadership for the Defence Forces.

“In order to resolve the tasks facing the Estonian Defence Forces, it is extremely important that the given processes are effected quickly and harmoniously,” wrote the Estonian Head of State.

“The unanimity and quick work of all the factions of the Riigikogu—politicians belonging to the coalition as well as the opposition—in releasing Tarmo Kõuts, who had submitted his resignation, from office and appointing a new Commander of the Defence Forces is statesmanlike,” commented President Ilves.

According to the Estonian Head of State this gives promise that in the future it will be possible to avoid needless conflicts in the management of national defence. “One of the preconditions thereof is close cooperation between the Riigikogu, Government of the Republic, and the Head of State,” wrote President Ilves in his letter to the Toomas Varek, Chairman of the Riigikogu. “I affirm that I will do everything in my power to promote effective cooperation”.

Public Relations Department of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, 5 December 2006