Today, on September 19 the Danish Defence Committee delegation headed by the Danish Minister of Defence Svend-Age Jensby continued their visit in Estonia.
The tour started with Tapa Exercise area where the delegation watched the international exercise Baltic Eagle 2002 and continued in the Tallinn Miinisadam where the guests visited Estonia’s Command and Support Ship Admiral Pitka. The Danish delegation met and had a briefing with the Chairman of the Defence Committee of Riigikogu Mr. Tiit Tammsaar and other members of the committee.
In the afternoon the Danish Defence Committee delegation and the Danish Minister of Defence Svend-Age Jensby had a meeting with the Estonian Minister of Defence Sven Mikser and the Chief of Defence Vice Admiral Tarmo Kõuts.
Together they discussed Estonian-Danish defence co-operation and issues related to NATO enlargement. Both Ministers stressed the importance of continuing bilateral co-operation after Estonia’s possible invitation to join the Alliance.
Mikser mentioned that Estonia’s priority so far has been and would be in the future the building up of the brigade within the structure of the Estonian Defence Forces, whereas the importance of assistance from the Danish side in the project would be vital. Mikser also thanked Denmark for the long-term aid in Klooga shooting area and Ämari Air Sovereignity Operation Centre projects. Mikser expressed hope that the fruitful and constructive co-operation with Denmark would continue till the finalization of Ämari project till 2015.
During the questions-answers session after the formal meeting the Danish delegation expressed once again the firm support of their country to all the Baltic countries in their aspirations to join NATO.
The Danish Minister of Defence Svend-Age Jensby and the delegation of the Danish Defence Committee left Tallinn on Thursday evening.