Estonian FM Says NATO Remains Crucial for Europe, US
Tsahkna affirmed Estonia’s strong appreciation for the US role in transatlantic security and supported open dialogue among NATO members, but warned: "Suggestions of withdrawing from NATO or even considering such a step are harmful, even if they are not acted upon."
"NATO is beneficial for both Europe and the United States," he said, highlighting that the alliance has maintained stability on both sides of the Atlantic for nearly eight decades.
He noted that any weakening of NATO would be detrimental to all member states, referencing the collective defense principle under Article 5, which has only been invoked once following the 9/11 attacks in the US.
Tsahkna also pointed to Estonia’s active participation in NATO missions, where 11 Estonian soldiers lost their lives and more than 100 were injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The minister underscored that all NATO members now meet the 2% of GDP defense spending target, with several exceeding it. "This means that European NATO Allies and Canada have in recent years added billions to strengthen defence capabilities, demonstrating that Allies take defence seriously," he said.
He concluded by stressing that Europe must continue to expand its role in ensuring its own security, both independently and within NATO. "We will continue to work to ensure that Europe takes on an even greater role in safeguarding the security of our continent," Tsahkna said. "We must demonstrate through our actions that we are capable of contributing to security both independently and within the Alliance."
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