The commander of the Estonian defense forces resigns

  • 2006-08-24
  • By TBT staff
TALLINN - The commander of the Estonian defense forces, Vice Adm. Tarmo Kouts, has tendered his resignation to President Arnold Ruutel today, BNS reported.
"I have fulfilled my task as commander of the defense forces," Kouts said in a statement. "The goals that were set out when I assumed the post have been achieved," he said.
Estonia is a full-fledged member of NATO and the European Union and the Estonian defense forces have successfully integrated with the NATO military structure, Kouts said.
He added that the balanced model of national defense chosen by Estonia, in which there are professional units along with a reserve based on conscript service, allows to be flexible in meeting one's commitments.