NATO exercises in Estonia

NATO conducted its first military exercise in Estonia, which hopes to be invited to join the trans-Atlantic military alliance next month at a summit in Prague.

The logistics exercise, code-named Cooperative Support, grouping NATO and its Partnership for Peace allies, is taking place Oct. 8-16 in the Estonian capital Tallinn, the Estonian Defence Forces said in a statement.

"This is the first ever military training that has been arranged by NATO headquarters, the statement said.

"I am confident Estonia will pass this NATO exam with top grades," Major Raul Kutt, the Estonian head of the exercise said.

The manoeuvres take place just over a month before NATO's 19 member countries decide in Prague on which of nine candidate countries to invite to join.

Some 150 logistics officers from 28 NATO, Partnership for Peace and Mediterranean Dialogue countries are expected to participate in the staff exercise.