Ministers of the Interior of Estonia and Finland met in Tallinn to discuss cooperation
25.11.2010 | Marko Pomerants | English news
On Wednesday, 24 November, Minister of the Interior of Estonia, Marko Pomerants, and Minister of the Interior of Finland, Anne Holmlund, met in Tallinn to discuss cooperation between the two countries in the area of internal security as well as common objectives in developing the area.
At the meeting, the ministers focussed more closely on border guard cooperation on sea and the police cooperation action plan, to facilitate further activities at the level of the relevant institutions.
In the framework of police cooperation, the ministers set the aim on the development of strategic police cooperation and decided to analyse the impacts of visa-freedom between the European Union and Russia on Estonia and Finland.
The ministers also discussed the establishment of the EU IT Agency and Estonia's possible contribution in participating in that process.
According to the Minister of the Interior Marko Pomerants, the meeting confirmed the common understanding of Estonia and Finland in ensuring internal security and of mutual goodwill.
"Compared to the situation a couple of decades ago, Estonian internal security has by now reached a level that allows us to make plans as equal partners and provide mutual support," said Pomerants.
The Ministers of the Interior also acknowledged that the need to reinstate the position of Estonian police communication officer in Finland is still topical and both countries are interested in reinstating the position. Pomerants stated that the position of a police communication officer will be restored as soon as the budgetary funds allow. "There does not seem to be a possibility to this in the coming year, but we shall definitely allocate the necessary expenses when preparing the budget for 2012," he added.
The Ministers of the Interior of both countries agreed that cooperation so far has been successful and active. Anne Holmlund, Minister of the Interior of Finland, gave recognition to the contribution made by the Estonian Ministry of the Interior and internal security agencies, and added that from the viewpoint of the internal security of both countries it is important to further increase close cooperation in various aspects of the area.
During the visit, the Minister of the Interior of Finland also visited the Riigikogu and the ICT Demo Centre.
Source: Estonian Ministry of the Interior
