Estonia sees cyber defense as important part of EU military capability development

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Photo: Mihkel Maripuu

Estonia considers cyber defense to be an essential part of the development of the European Union's military capabilities, Defense Minister Urmas Reinsalu said at a meeting of EU defense ministers in Dublin.

During their two-day meeting in the Irish capital, EU defense ministers discussed the union's guidelines on defense that are to be endorsed by EU leaders at their summit at the end of this year, spokespeople for the Estonian Ministry of Defense said.

"For Estonia development of the European Union's military capabilities is important, including in the field of cyber defense. Alongside military threats our countries must be ready also for cyber attacks, the impact from which is as evident and as dangerous," said the minister.

He said that achieving a good result depends on cooperation between the EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton and the the European Defense Agency.

"From Estonia's point of view harmonizing the cyber security levels of the member states is paramount, so that there was greater readiness for cooperation between the states and an international response in the event of a cyber incident," Reinsalu said.

The minister said he was pleased at the adoption of the union's cyber strategy, as it offers the opportunity to improve cyber security through common minimum requirements and standards. He said it was now important to see to it that the proposals made and the tasks set out in the strategy were carried out and the necessity of their implementation was taken into account also by the Council when it issues its guidelines to member states in defense planning.

Besides development of the EU's military capabilities the topics discussed at the informal meeting of EU defense ministers in Dublin included the situation in Mali and input to other multinational operations.

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