Tue. Dec 10th, 2024

Tallinn, 22 – 23 October 2024

Also available in FrenchRussianUkrainian

During his first trip to the Eastern Flank of the Alliance since taking office, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with Estonian President Alar Karis, Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, and visited Allied troops at Tapa Army Base.

After touring the military base with President Karis on Wednesday (October 23), the Secretary General thanked the personnel there – from Estonia and the UK, France and Iceland – for their service. “You are one of eight NATO battlegroups stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea, backed by the full weight of NATO’s fighting forces in all domains. Land, air, sea, space and cyberspace. Every hour of your vigilance reinforces our collective defence,” he said.

On Tuesday (October 22), during meetings with President Karis and Prime Minister Michal, the Secretary General praised Estonia for its significant investments in defence and its support for Ukraine.

“By spending over 3% of your GDP on defence, Estonia is truly leading by example. And I know you intend to invest even more in our shared security in the coming years,” he said. Mr Rutte added that all Allies need to invest more “in order to meet our capability targets.”

Estonia is among Ukraine’s strongest supporters, having provided over 500 million euros of military aid since 2022.

“Today we discussed how to bolster our support for Ukraine, now, through the difficult winter ahead, and also for the long-term,” said the Secretary General.  He emphasised that Allies are working hard to deliver on the commitments made at the Washington Summit in July, “including a new command to coordinate security assistance and training for Ukraine, and our financial pledge of at least 40 billion euros in 2024.”

During his visit, the Secretary General also met with students from Tallinn University and paid his respects at the Memorial of the Victims of Communism.

Since joining NATO in 2004, Estonia has made significant contributions to the collective defence of the Alliance. It hosts NATO’s UK-led multinational battlegroup in Tapa, NATO’s Baltic Air Policing at Ämari Air Base, a new regional hub for NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), and NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn.

Audio

  • Address to the troops followed by a press point by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the President of Estonia, Alar Karis – download mp3
  • ENGLISH – Joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kristen Michal – download mp3

Opinions

Source – NATO

 


Joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kristen Michal

22 October 2024

    (As delivered)

    Prime minister Michal, dear Kristen,

    Thank you so much for welcoming me today in beautiful Tallinn. Good to be back.

    It is a pleasure to be here, and to meet with you.

    Estonia is a valued NATO Ally, and has been for 20 years now.

    Your country contributes a great deal to our shared security.

    You host NATO’s UK-led multinational battlegroup in Tapa, helping to deter aggression on the Eastern flank of our Alliance.

    I look forward to visiting the base tomorrow and meeting the troops there.

    Estonia also hosts a new regional hub for DIANA and NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence here in Tallinn, and NATO’s Baltic Air Policing at Ämari Air Base.

    I welcome Estonia’s significant contribution to NATO’s high readiness forces, and your efforts to further improve  readiness.

    By spending over 3% of your GDP on defence, Estonia is truly leading by example.
    And I know you intend to invest even more in our shared security in the coming years.

    Investing more is something all Allies will need to do, to meet our capability targets.

    This is essential for us to continue to deter and defend against the challenges we face.

    Here in Estonia, you know how close some of those challenges can be.

    My first official travel as NATO Secretary General was to Kyiv, where I met with President Zelenskyy and reiterated NATO’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine.

    Estonia is among Ukraine’s strongest supporters, having provided over 500 million Euros of military aid since 2022.

    And you have committed to supporting Ukraine with at least 0.25% of your GDP for the years to come.

    Today we discussed how to bolster our support for Ukraine, now, through the difficult winter ahead, you already mentioned it, and also for the long-term.

    Russia continues to attack Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure. And as winter approaches, our support to Ukraine remains critical.

    We are also working hard to deliver on the commitments made at the Washington Summit in July.
    Including a new Command to coordinate security assistance and training for Ukraine,
    And our financial pledge of at least 40 billion euros in 2024.

    We also discussed ways to further strengthen NATO’s defences.
    Including steps to make this region more secure.

    This week, Germany inaugurated a new [Allied] naval command centre for the Baltic region, which will better protect key supply and trade routes, and critical infrastructure, making the Baltic waters safer and more secure.

    Dear Kristen, thanks again for your steadfast commitment to our transatlantic Alliance.

    It’s an honour to be here, and I look forward to working with you, and of course maybe to answer a few questions.

    Q&A

    Journalist

    [Inaudible] As you know, Russia has weaponized migrants to basically create a dilemma for Estonia Poland Finland, that we either bring them in and invite more of the same or push them out and deal with the consequences in terms of humanitarian law, our rules-based world order and so on, also the sabotage acts in Europe and so on and so on. Do you see that NATO has a role in deterring these acts? And do you see that the Washington Treaty with its relevant articles is sort of enough to deal with it? So basically, do you see a role for NATO in terms of deterring these sabotage acts? And also the migration question? Thanks.

    NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

    Well, on migration, I would think first of all, the EU is, of course, dealing with this, and we are coordinating closely with the European Union and also amongst Allies. So of course, this is an issue which is also on our agenda. But foremost, I would say it is an issue which is dealt with at the EU level, which is also logical, because when it comes to asylum policies and refugees, etc, but also how to make sure that you confront nations who weaponize these routes of migration against member states of the European Union or Allies of NATO, that we have a concept, that we have a concerted reaction to that, and that we are strongly aligned on how to deal with this. So this is, first of all, the EU when it comes, of course, more to, let’s say, the cyber threats, the hybrid threats when it comes to incursions. And obviously it is also NATO, which is very much involved, and even more so, I think, than the European Union and these issues are coordinated closely within NATO. We make sure that we stand ready, that we can confront any threat which threatens NATO’s territory, and particularly when it comes to the Incursions that we make sure that we have the right answers. This is a step by step approach, but we are working very hard on that, and it is crucial to keep the Alliance safe.

    Estonia Prime Minister Kristen Michal

    A few words about the migration because last European Council, my first to be honest, it was dealing lots with migration questions. Because in the south, you have climate issues, economic issues, conflict issues, and in the north and Baltics, you have, as already mentioned, weaponizing migration. So this is usually Russia’s game right now. Finns have the borders already closed. So this is also part and possibility for hybrid FETs. So EU is strongly talking about it. And I would say that migration policy is a little bit getting more in line with today’s problems at Russia using the migrants as a weapon. So, as Matt already mentioned, this is EU policy and EU question, but it also could be in the future, also a hybrid threat for NATO.

    Estonian Daily Postimees 

    [Inaudible] I wanted to ask about NSATU. As far as I understand, it’s not fully operational yet. I wanted to ask how big percentage of the pledges made in Washington have been fulfilled already, and how many people are you still waiting for and good countries like Estonia who have done their part by Estonia? In Estonian case, I think with one person now, could help if they sent some more and from our prime minister, would we be willing to help out if some extra people need to be sent? Thanks.

    NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

    NSATU was an important outcome of the Washington Summit. It is the command being set up in Wiesbaden to coordinate weapons deliveries into Ukraine. And we know that many Allies are working on getting weapons systems into Ukraine. You want to make the smartest combination so that you help Ukraine to the max, but also training. Other issues will be dealt with. At the moment, other structures are working on this. As long as NSATU is not there, we make sure that at high speed and without delay, everything continues in terms of help to Ukraine, we now think that NSATU could be fully operational by the end of the year. We are working very hard on that. Many Allies have already provided personnel to and set you then, of course, you also have to make sure that they get deployed physically there, not only on paper, but also physically there. That’s also getting better and better, and we are in constant communication with Allies to make sure that those vacancies are filled. So I’m relatively confident that by the end of the year, we will be there. But the most important thing is that as long as this not finally done, that there is no gap in the work being done on training, on weapons deliveries, etc, into Ukraine, because we can’t afford that any other decisions in Washington. JATEC being set up in Poland to capture all the learnings and make sure that Ukraine becomes fully interoperable with NATO. The 40 billion pledge – we are half a half way this year, we are halfway, and even a bit more, 21 billion. So that is good news. Obviously, we need more. So we’re working step by step on all these issues. And I think we’re getting there.

    Estonian Public Broadcaster

    [Inaudible], Estonian Public Broadcaster. My question goes also to Secretary General. So the summit of BRICS is now going on in Kazan, Russia and NATO member state, Türkiye is also presented there. And as we know, Türkiye also wants to apply a membership in BRICS, Russia dominated organization. So must we be concerned?

    NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

    Well, let’s not forget that Türkiye is a very important ally in the Alliance. It has one of the best equipped military forces in NATO. It plays a vital role in its part of the NATO geography. It provides a lot of capabilities to NATO as a whole. So we are very happy and glad with the fact that Türkiye is, for so many years now, an integral part of the Alliance. And obviously within the Alliance, being a democracy, 32 countries, there will always be debates on this and that. But we know that Türkiye is also working towards or with some of the BRICS partners. They have the sovereign right to do so that might lead to debates now and then, within bilaterally or within NATO. But that doesn’t mean that Türkiye is not, it is still and it will always be, to my absolute conviction, NATO is very popular in Türkiye, and Türkiye is very popular in NATO. So we have to make sure that we make maximum use of each other, and we are so happy that they are an Ally of ours. Thank you.

    Bloomberg News

    Hi, [inaudible] from Bloomberg News. Question for Mark Rutte about North Korean troops in Ukraine. You said a few days ago that it was that you you weren’t able to confirm, based on your own information, that that North Korean troops were actively engaged in the Ukrainian front so far. Has that changed according to the latest information that you have in NATO? Thanks.

    NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

    Well, I discussed this yesterday in a telephone call with the president of South Korea, and of course, we also discussed the ongoing cooperation between South Korea and NATO, and we just ended on Thursday a very successful meeting of the NATO Defence Ministers, together with their colleagues from the Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan. But this phone call yesterday was very much focusing on the issue of the DPRK, so North Korea. I asked the president, and he said, I will absolutely do that; to send experts from the Republic of Korea to brief the North Atlantic Council. That will now happen early next week, and then we will see whether North Korea is indeed, or not, supporting Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. If that would be the case, if they would be sending troops to Ukraine, that would mark a significant escalation. That would really be important, a significant escalation. So at this moment, I cannot confirm it. Other than that we will get the latest update from South Korea earlier next week.

    Source – NATO

     


    Address to the troops by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte followed by a press point with President of Estonia Alar Karis

      Tapa Army Base, 23 October 2024

      (As delivered)

      Good afternoon.

      President Karis, dear Alar, thank you and Chief of Defence General Merilo for hosting us here today.

      It is my pleasure to be here at Tapa Army Base.
      It is where the Estonian 1st Brigade is located, and NATO’s multinational forces are fully integrated.

      This is the first NATO battlegroup I have visited since I became Secretary General, and I am already impressed.
      With your professionalism, commitment and resolve.

      Thank you to the United Kingdom for leading this battlegroup, with its soldiers serving alongside troops from France and staff from Iceland.
      I also welcome that troops from the United States are here today, yet another demonstration of US commitment to our shared security.

      You stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your Estonian brothers and sisters in uniform.
      You all embody the spirit of NATO.
      All for one and one for all.
      Together we defend Estonia’s freedom every day.
      And Estonia will never be alone again.

      You are one of eight NATO battlegroups stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea, backed by the full weight of NATO’s fighting forces in all domains, land, air, sea, space and cyberspace.

      Every hour of your vigilance reinforces our collective defence.

      You deter any aggression and your presence proves that NATO will always defend every Ally.

      Your efforts are not just a display of military strength but a clear commitment to preserve peace and prevent conflict.

      Let me also welcome that today, the United Kingdom and Germany are signing a new defence agreement that will bring their armed forces and defence industries even closer, further strengthening NATO’s security.

      NATO will continue to step up our deterrence and defence.
      And increase our support to Ukraine, because Ukraine’s security is our security.

      It is a privilege to meet you here today. I was fortunate to speak with some of you earlier.
      You are the best of NATO.
      Thank you for your service.

      Q&A

      TV3
      Since you are from the Netherlands, [inaudible] do the people understand the meaning and need to contribute to NATO and keep the troops in place in Estonia where we have Russian borders? The second question would be to the US Presidential elections, how can we resolve [inaudible] European security, and is NATO ready for Trump’s comeback?

      Secretary General Mark Rutte
      For my country, I can tell you that from the moment the 23rd to the 24th of February. That night, when at three o’clock we got the message, the news that the full Russian onslaught was taking place. Obviously, the war had started earlier with getting Crimea under Russian control, but the full onslaught starting on that February night in 2022 came very close to our feeling of security, our sense of that you do not invade another country, that you cannot recolonize a other country in the world of 2022, 2023, 2024, and this was what I have seen all over NATO.

      And yes, I know that Estonia is literally on the East flank of the Alliance, but basically every one of 1 billion people living in NATO territory live on the eastern flank. Maybe not literally, but it is not you alone. You are not alone. We all have to go through this together, and I can only say from the heart that we are in this together. It’s one for all and all for one.

      And that, including keeping the support for Ukraine going, we are extremely motivated to do that. Then on the US elections, obviously, we have to wait the outcome. I have no intelligence who will win, and I’m convinced that the President, the Prime Minister of Estonia, myself, everyone in NATO will work in a very positive and cooperative way with whoever will be the winner of that election. Also, because both on the Democratic side and on the Republican side, people realise that NATO and the collective defence NATO provides is not only in the interest of Estonia or the Netherlands, United Kingdom, but also for United States, if Russia would be successful in Ukraine, and we will prevent that. But if that would happen, and that would be a security threat, not only to Estonia, but also the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We all realise that. So, this, this is a collective effort, and I know that we will work with whoever will win the elections. And of course, we have no say in this and no opinion, but we have to make it work, whoever will be chosen.

      Delfi.ee

      De facto, we already have a two speed Europe, where a country can stand aside and others can work on effective cooperation, could this system work for NATO as well? Because we have allies like Hungary, [inaudible].

      Secretary General Mark Rutte

      Let me absolutely clear, we have a one speed NATO. There is not a two speed NATO. And every NATO country, and I know, for example, on Ukraine, my predecessor flew out of Budapest, had good talks with Viktor Orbán, the Prime Minister, and they agreed on the modalities of non-participation in some of the military support for Ukraine. And this is possible. But then Hungary did not block anything. So, everything is going ahead, and Hungary is providing an enormous contribution to NATO, KFOR and many other places. It has well trained armed forces. They are integral part of NATO. So, I will never expect a notion of a two speed NATO, and we should not aim for that at all. This is really different from some of the arrangements in the EU where you have specific modalities to deal with this. But in NATO, it’s an Alliance. Article 5, one for all, all for one, stands.

      President of Estonia Alar Karis

      [Inaudible] but what I can say that, first of all, Europe is multi-speed, rather than two-speed in Europe. But in NATO, NATO is a collective institution, organization that is defence organization, what matters is our collective speed. Just to remind you, when the war broke up in of aggression in Ukraine, you know that some countries were very hesitant and did not give any military help to Ukraine, but now, after two years, two and a half years, these countries are on top list helping Ukraine. That means speed is very relative, and you look at this time scale, so the same applies also to NATO.

      Source – NATO

       

      Forward to your friends