Aaviksoo: A year of intense co-operation ahead for Estonia and US
29.01.2010 | Jaak Aaviksoo | English news
Yesterday the Minister of Defence Jaak Aavikso met with US's new ambassador to Estonia Michael C. Polt, with whom issues related to bilateral defense co-operation, were discussed.
Minister of Defence Aaviksoo stated that defense cooperation between Estonia and its strategic ally US has improved in terms of substance, efficiency and strategic scope. "The beginning year will involve a number of joint exercises, including host nation support exercise "Baltic Host" held between the US and the Baltic States, as well as US marines' landing exercise in Estonia and joint ground forces exercise in Latvia," the minister noted. In addition, the minister also highlighted plans to increase the countries mutual cooperation in Afghanistan.
The US ambassador stated that the upcoming bilateral engagements are a sign of close ties between the two countries. Both men also assured that the principle of collective defence, shall remain the cornerstone of the NATO.
Michael C. Polt is the US's ambassador to Estonia since December 2009.
Source: Estonian Ministry of Defence
