The loss of France is also a loss for Estonia. It was with great sadness I received the news that one of our closest Allies, France, has lost 13 soldiers in a helicopter accident in Mali yesterday. I extend my deepest condolences to the relatives of the French soldiers, who lost their lives. I wish resilience to all troops serving in Mali.
Our members of the Defence Forces, together with France troops, are serving in Estonia and Mali today. This is a good example of today's security threats, which do not recognize national borders and can only be countered together with Allies.
The recent increase in internal tensions in the Sahel region of West Africa creates a favorable environment for terrorism, which is equally dangerous to France and to Europe as a whole. It is in our clear interest to fight the terrorism at its source, so that this fight does not spread to the streets of Europe.