Eesti in brief - 2011-12-08

The city of Tallinn Social Work Center held a poll among the homeless people in Estonia’s capital aiming to get an insight into the causes, scope and structure of homelessness, reports Ohtuleht online. According to the poll, there were around 400 people who live on the streets and around 450 who live in homeless shelters and social housing units. Since around 400 are in a queue to get a place in social housing units, then the estimated amount of homeless people is around 1,000-1,500 in the city. Tallinn Social Work Center manager Kersti Poldemaa said that the poll was carried out from September to November at places where homeless people gather and live, in soup kitchens, shelters and hospitals. After the analysis of the polling results is completed in January, the city will start planning measures to ease homelessness in Tallinn.

Estonian Defense Minister Mart Laar had a meeting with Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks and Lithuanian Defense Minister Rasa Jukneviciene in Kaunas, where they discussed Baltic defense cooperation, reports National Broadcasting. The ministers discussed how the defense forces could use the largest shooting practice grounds in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania more effectively. They also agreed that in the future, the Baltic States could carry out joint procurements for ammunition, vehicles and personal equipment of the military. The ministers discussed the importance of raising defense spending to 2 percent of GDP; Lithuania and Latvia need to move in that direction and Estonia needs to preserve that level. They also discussed the possibilities of contributing with joint infantry and navy units in NATO fast reaction forces, as was done in 2010 when the Baltic States had a common infantry battalion there. Baltic States air security issues were also discussed.