ESTONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MET FOREIGN SECRETARY MILIBAND IN LONDON
02.03.2008
Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, on a visit in London, met Foreign Secretary David Miliband on Monday, 3 March.
The UK Foreign Secretary began their meeting by congratulating the Estonian people on the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. The meeting focused on joint activities in Afghanistan and the upcoming NATO summit in Bucharest.
The foreign ministers confirmed that Estonia and the United Kingdom will continue to participate in creating stability and security for Afghanistan and will increase their contributions for building up the nation. Foreign Minister Paet stated that Estonia will significantly increase its development co-operation aid in Afghanistan this year. “Today an Estonian health care expert arrives in Helmand, whose objective is to develop the health care system and co-ordinate international medical aid,” said Paet. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said:
'Estonia's largest international defence commitment remains the 130 troops embedded within the UK military command in Helmand province in Afghanistan. We welcome the Government's commitment to its deployment there and in Iraq. We further welcome the Government's engagement to increase civilian work in Afghanistan.'
'I also wish the Estonian people many happy returns on the 90th anniversary of the declaration of independence, which is celebrated this year.' READ THE FULL STATEMENT ON FCO WEBSITE
