Europe cannot be prized apart with iron curtain again

TALLINN - Estonian President Alar Karis, who will be on a working visit to Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday, said ahead of his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that Europe cannot be prized apart with an iron curtain again. 

Karis is planning to speak at the meeting about Europe's security and NATO's relations with Russia. On Wednesday, the Estonian head of state is also scheduled to meet with King Philippe of Belgium.

The president's security adviser is Liis Mure underscored that the focus of Karis' meeting with Stoltenberg will be on the strained security situation in Europe, Russia's military activities on the Ukrainian border and communication between NATO and Russia. 

"The Estonian head of state meeting the NATO secretary general right now carries the message that a visibly strong, united and credible NATO is crucial for the security of Europe and its allies. External interference with the alliance's activities and decisions is unacceptable," Mure said.

"NATO will not allow for Europe to be prized apart once more with an iron curtain that leaves states that can decide their own fate and choices on one side and those that have been deprived of this freedom on the other side. This will be one of the messages of President Karis in Brussels and all of NATO shares the same position," she went on.

The meeting of Karis and Stoltenberg on Thursday morning will be followed by a joint press conference, which will start at 11:15 a.m. Estonian time and can be viewed on NATO's website at https://www.nato.int/ .

The Estonian president is also set to meet with NATO Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security David Cattler, Estonians working in NATO as well as with the diplomats and officials working in Estonia's permanent representations to the EU and NATO.

The head of state is scheduled to return to Estonia on Thursday evening.