Estonian defmin to discuss cooperation, meeting of presidents with Mattis

TALLINN, Mar 05, BNS - Estonian Defense Minister Juri Luik is to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis on Wednesday in Washington to discuss defense cooperation, the meeting of U.S. and Baltic heads of state scheduled for April 3, and the 2018 NATO Summit.

Luik and Mattis are to meet on Wednesday in Pentagon and the bilateral meeting will focus on the NATO Summit which is to take place in July, the Ministry of Defense said. They will also talks about the meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump and the Baltic heads of state as well as bilateral defense cooperation. In addition, they will discuss the contribution of the U.S. to Estonia's defense, including investments, exercises and cooperation in the field of cyber defense.

Luik is to also meet with chair of the House Armed Services Committee, Mac Thornberry, and deputy chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jack Reed.

The Estonian minister will also speak at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC and lay a wreath at the Victims of Communism Memorial.

Luik will be accompanied on the visit by deputy secretary general for defense policy at the Ministry of Defense, Kristjan Prikk.