Tsahkna: EU can do more to strengthen NATO's collective defense

TALLINN – Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna met on Friday with General Seán Clancy, Chairman of the EU Military Committee, during his visit to Estonia to discuss cooperation between the European Union and NATO, the defense of the eastern flank, support for Ukraine, deterring the shadow fleet, and developments in the Middle East.

"Estonia has significantly increased its defense investments in recent years, and I am pleased that the Chairman of the EU Military Committee will get a comprehensive overview of the strengthening of Estonia's deterrence and defense posture during his visit," Tsahkna said.

"Russia is and will remain the most serious threat to all of Europe for the foreseeable future, and it is therefore crucial that European countries take the development of their defense capabilities seriously," the foreign minister stated. "NATO is and will remain the primary cornerstone of collective defense, and the EU can do more on its part to strengthen it."

When discussing support for Ukraine, Tsahkna noted that the EU's EUMAM mission has made a significant contribution to the training of the Ukrainian armed forces and that this effort must continue.

The European Union Military Committee is the highest military body in the European Union, composed of the chiefs of defense of all member states.