Finnish-Estonian defence cooperation

Commander of the Finnish defence forces Adm. Juhani Kaskeala said during his meeting with Estonian President Arnold Rььtel that the Estonian defence forces are equal partner to the Finnish army. Meeting with Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar and Defence Minister Jьri Luik, Kaskeala commended Estonia for its achievements in the defence sphere over the past ten years. During his meeting with Defence Minister Jьri Luik, the Finnish defence forces’ commander discussed issues related to the enlargement of NATO, Finnish-Estonian defence cooperation relations, development trends of the Estonian defence forces and issues pertaining to the Finnish - Baltic joint defence projects. Adm. Kaskeala said it would be a positive development and a security guarantee for the whole region if Estonia received an invitation to accede to NATO at the forthcoming Prague summit. Kaskeala said Finland would make changes in its Estonian defence structures aid project started in 1996. Finnish - Estonian defence relations first were established in 1992. Finland has given Estonia many-sided aid in terms of military equipment and training. The Estonian and Finnish defence ministries hold regular political and defence talks. The next such meeting will be held in December when the cooperation plan for 2002 and 2003 will be signed.