The first readings of draft resolutions were completed yesterday in the Parliament, which will allow Estonia to contribute up to 272 servicemen next year to international military operations and readiness units.
According to Minister of Defence Jüri Luik, Afghanistan and other crisis areas around the world continue to require the attention of Allies. ‘Maintaining allied relationships is continuous work, and Estonia is a reliable ally,’ said Luik.
Estonia is increasing its participation in the NATO-led training and advisory mission Resolute Support, to which it is contributing up to 46 servicemen. The goal of the Estonian unit in Afghanistan is not to participate in combat activities, but to advise and prepare Afghanistan’s security forces, in order to support them in the fight against terrorism. Next year, as planned, Estonia will also continue contributing a platoon sized unit to the French-led operation Barkhane, in Mali.
Next year Estonia will reduce its contribution to the UN mission UNIFIL, in Lebanon, where, due to the departure of the Finnish unit, in the composition of which the Estonia platoon was operating, it will no longer be possible for Estonia to contribute a platoon sized unit. Estonia will continue to participate in the UN peacekeeping mission with one staff officer.
According to Luik, the contributions to foreign operations have been carefully selected, are feasible and precisely targeted towards ensuring international security, and also support Estonia’s security. ‘Solidarity with our allies creates the political ground for our wishes to also be viewed positively,' noted Luik.
Next year, Estonia will be contributing to UN (UNIFIL Lebanon, UNTSO in the Middle East, MINUSMA in Mali), NATO (Resolute Support in Afghanistan, NMI in Iraq), and EU (EUTM in Mali, EUNAVFOR in the Mediterranean region) operations, as well as the UK-led anti-ISIL coalition of the willing military operation Inherent Resolve, in Iraq, and the French-led operation Barkhane, in Mali.
In addition, the plan is to participate with up to 52 servicemen in the NATO Response Force (NRF) and with up to 24 servicemen as part of the high readiness forces of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).
Similar to previous years, a mandate was requested for the possible first time and rapid nature contribution of up to 50 servicemen to other international military operations led by NATO or its Member Countries, the EU or the UN.
Additional information: [email protected]