Director-General of the Political Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Paul Teesalu was in Washington from 29-30 November for the meeting of Nordic and Baltic political directors in the E-PINE (Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe) cooperation format. They discussed the current state and future of transatlantic cooperation, cooperation between the US, Nordic and Baltic countries, energy security, migration issues, the fight against terrorism as well as relations with Russia.
Topics discussed included also the central role of NATO in maintaining and developing transatlantic relations. "It was emphasized that Europe must increase its commitment to security, including by increasing defence spending," Teelsalu added.
Also, participants of the meeting exchanged thoughts with representatives of Washington-based think tanks in the course of which the formation of the foreign policy of the incoming US administration was discussed, among other things. “Conviction they expressed was that regarding Europe, the present US foreign policy continues,” Teesalu said.
Teesalu also took part in extended Baltic-US security talks wherein practical opportunities for strengthening regional cooperation in the fields of defence and internal security were examined. In addition, Teesalu also had meetings in the US Congress to discuss Estonian-US relations.
Sandra Kamilova
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Communication Department
(+372) 5667 5362
[email protected]