The Estonian Minister of Defence Sven Mikser delivered a speech at the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) seminar in Washington. In his speech Mikser stressed that the Baltic States are determined to joining NATO not because of fright, but with the aim of preserving and defending common values.
Mikser and his Latvian and Lithuanian colleagues had meetings with different high-rank representatives of US NATO Committee and Security Council and US senators, the common topic being the military reforms and the preparation of Baltic States’ defence forces for future NATO membership.
During the meeting with the Baltic ministers of defence US president’s security deputy advisor Steve Hadley stated that the joint visit of the ministers to Washington is a significant political message.
US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage underlined the importance of continuing in the earlier chosen direction and reinforcing gained achievements.
The former director of CIA James Woolsey assured that Baltic countries’ possible joining of the Alliance is not a problematic topic in Washington.