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The Estonian Head of State met with the NATO Secretary General
12.11.2008
Today in Kadriorg, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who arrived in Tallinn in connection with high-level NATO-Ukraine consultations.
President Ilves and Secretary Scheffer thoroughly discussed the changed security situation after the Russia-Georgia war.
The meeting also included a discussion about the situation in Afghanistan, which is NATO’s most important foreign mission, and where an Estonian infantry company is serving along with a support unit.
“The success of NATO and the stabilization of Afghanistan are extremely important for the establishment of a more secure world and for the credibility and trustworthiness of the alliance,” President Ilves said. “The NATO states and our partners participating in the operation require great dedication and patience, whereas in addition to the military contribution, successful civil projects are becoming increasingly important in Afghanistan.”
Speaking about the air security of the Baltic countries, the Estonian Head of State acknowledged the perseverance of the other NATO member states in guarantee air security and also the organization of the “Baltic Air Sovereignty Event” exercise that took place on October 21st.
President Ilves and Secretary General Scheffer also spoke about reforms in Georgia and Ukraine for convergence with NATO. They confirmed the validity of the resolutions that were approved at the Bucharest Summit, according to which NATO’s doors will be open for Georgia and Ukraine in the future.
“It is very important that these countries continue to strengthen democracy and NATO-directed reforms,” the Estonian Head of State said.
Possible developments in NATO-Russia relations were also discussed at the meeting.
This evening President Ilves will host a formal dinner in honor of the foreign visitors that arrived for high-level NATO-Ukraine consultations.
Office of the President
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