Estonia set to give practical assistance to Poland

TALLINN - Estonia is planning to provide practical assistance to Poland as that  country is facing a migration crisis, Estonia's Defense Minister Kalle Laanet said at the government's press briefing on Thursday. 

"We will decide what exactly it will be made up of tomorrow morning, but we are about to send people, equipment and everything that is actually needed to protect one of the European Union's external borders," Laanet said. 

The minister explained that while Poland initially expressed the opinion that they need no help other than political support, the country announced on Monday that they would not say no to practical assistance.

"And that's what we're doing, in addition to having already helped Lithuania. Cooperation is extremely important and I am convinced that if Estonia needs help, they are ready to help us too,"  Laanet said.

According to Interior Minister Kristian Jaani, Latvia has also asked Estonia for help, wishing Estonia to be prepared to send a 30-strong police unit if requested by Latvia.

"This is a real action Estonia is ready to take to help our neighbors," Jaani said, adding that there are already 17 Estonian police officers on an assistance mission in Lithuania.