FM Paet: Baltic Satets Must Find Solution for Common Air Space Policing by 2018
23.11.2007
Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated in a meeting of the Baltic Council of Ministers (BCM) in Riga on Friday, 23 November, where he gave an overview of the priorities of Estonia’s upcoming presidency.
As the main topics of Estonia’s presidency, Paet talked about Baltic defence and security cooperation, cyber security, creating a regional energy market, advancing Baltic highway and railway infrastructure and protecting the Baltic Sea environment.
In talking about defence cooperation, Paet emphasized that a solution regarding Baltic air space policing must be found by 2018. “Ten years is, of course, a seemingly long time, but the solving of such a complicated matter, which is connected with very large investments, requires thorough analysis,” Paet acknowledged.
The foreign minister also addressed energy issues in his speech. “From a security point of view, it is no less important how we will be able to solve our energy supply problems,” Paet said. “In this respect, of primary importance is cooperation in developing a regional energy market, as well as in the sphere of ensuring the security of our energy infrastructure,” he added.
The foreign minister also emphasized the importance of the Via Baltica and Rail Baltica projects. “The continued development of both Via Baltica and Rail Baltica is important for the economies of the Baltic states, as they would ensure, for our highway and railroad transport, a connection with Central and Western Europe that corresponds to contemporary standards and requirements,” he said.
In talking about cyber security, the Estonian foreign minister expressed the necessity of cooperation in ensuring the security of information technology space and fighting against cyber crime. “Latvia and Lithuania have both agreed to participate in the cyber defence centre in Tallinn,” Paet said.
The Baltic Council of Minister is a council for intergovernmental co-operation that was created in 1994. The presidency changes annually, and is currently held by Latvia. Estonia’s presidency begins on 1 January 2008.
