Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur nominates diplomat Kaimo Kuusk, who has been the Estonian Ambassador to Lithuania from 2023, as the candidate for the post of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.
48-year old Kaimo Kuusk was the Estonian Ambassador to Ukraine from 2019-2023. From 1998-2019, he held various posts at the Foreign Intelligence Service, including the last nine years as Deputy Director General.
According to Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, the current geopolitical situation places exceptionally high demands on the position of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.
“The new Permanent Secretary must be exceptionally well-versed in both Estonian defence and foreign policy issues and be able to act as a uniting and leading figure in the rapidly changing defence sphere. Kaimo Kuusk has extensive experience in the field of foreign and security affairs and in the management of national defence institutions. Therefore, I am convinced that he will be a strong Permanent Secretary who already knows the Ministry of Defence very well and will quickly find common ground with the staff,” Pevkur explained his choice.
Pevkur added that his long experience as the Ambassador to Ukraine was also important in the selection of Kuusk, because the lessons of the war in Ukraine must be used to the maximum to strengthen Estonia’s defence.
“Both the personal contacts established in Ukraine and the experience gained in Lithuania, for example, in the development of the defence industry, will certainly contribute to the development of Estonian national defence as well. The fact that Kaimo Kuusk has all the necessary clearances to work with state secrets is not insignificant, because right now the Permanent Secretary must be ready to immediately contribute 100% to the functioning of the ministry,” Pevkur said.
According to Kaimo Kuusk, the opportunity to contribute to national defence is what inspires him to run for the post of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.
“Looking at our geography and what has happened in recent years, it is clear that the development of national defence must be and is the highest priority of the Estonian state. The government wants to contribute to security and is clearly putting this issue at the forefront. I have seen this in the coalition agreement and we will be implementing it. The additional resources will place an additional responsibility on the Ministry of Defence. We must squeeze the maximum out of every euro that the Estonian people contribute to the defence of their country, so that our defence capabilities can increase,” Kuusk noted.
Kuusk said that as Permanent Secretary, he also intends to prioritise the development of a positive working atmosphere and human relations.
“One person can win a duel, but wars are won by teams. I know that the ministry employs a lot of top specialists in their field, together with whom we will deliver the necessary results and meet the expectations placed on us,” Kuusk said.
Kaimo Kuusk has been awarded the Order of the White Star V class and the Order of the National Coat of Arms III class.
Before the Government of the Republic decides on the appointment of the Permanent Secretary, the commission for selection of senior civil servants must also give its opinion.
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