A main motivation behind a recent to decision to sell a stake of Estonia's power stations to Americans was to boost national security.

A main motivation behind a recent to decision to sell a stake of Estonia's power stations to Americans was to boost national security, Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar wrote in an article published August 4. Estonia, which has security concerns vis-a-vis neighboring Russia, agreed to sell a 49 percent stake in the plants to the U.S.-based NRG Energy for 55 million dollars and 361 million more in Opposition parties blasted the deal, saying it would lead to unnecessarily high energy prices. They also said the sale of the plants, which produce 95 percent of the country's electricity, would jeopardize Estonian sovereignty. But writing in Estonia's Postimees daily, Laar said the controversial deal was not only sound economically, but would enhance national security by more closely enmeshing Estonia's vital interests with those of the United States. "The NRG investment will guarantee an American presence here...ensuring that the only superpower in the world will have a continued interest in the stability and fast development of our region," he wrote. "Who could be a better advocate (for Estonia) in the U.S. government than a company which seeks a profit in this region," said Laar, who also criticized the center-left opposition for what he said were displays of disturbing xenophobia in opposing the deal. He said the price of electricity, which NRG energy will be allowed to raise by over 20 percent, shouldn't be the only criteria by which to judge the deal.