Estonia is set to invest more than 40 million euros to increase the presence of allies in the country, Prime Minister Taavi Roivas said in a meeting on Friday with NATO's top commander in Europe, Gen. Philip M. Breedlove.
Estonia to invest additionally EUR 40 mln to host allies
13th February 2015, 16:37
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The government is expected to make the decisions necessary to increase the presence of allies already next Thursday, spokespeople for the Estonian government said relaying the words said at the meeting at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium.
Altogether more than 40 million euros will be invested with the aim of enabling Estonia to host allied troops in greater numbers and to preposition in Estonia equipment, set up a training ground for tanks as well as a NATO staff.
Roivas and Breedlove spoke about security of the Nordic-Baltic region, strengthening of NATO deterrence and implementing the decisions of the Wales summit. Roivas thanked Breedlove for prompt and resolute action in increasing the security of the Baltic region.
«The Russian aggression in Ukraine has fundamentally changed the security situation of all of Europe and NATO has responded to it with the highest readiness,» Roivas said. He said NATO presence in Estonia and nearby countries has to be increased further.
Roivas said the Estonian government is fully committed to implementing the decisions of the NATO Wales summit and strengthening of NATO deterrence, including of permanent presence of allies, the Baltic region.
«With General Breedlove we discused the next steps, including increasing the presence of allies and prepositioning of equipment in Estonia. We received an assurance that the investments planned by Estonia in expanding the defense forces' central training ground and building barracks and warehouses for allies will contribute to rapidly increasing the presence,» the prime minister added.