“Estonia and the United States enjoy a strong alliance, and we greatly value the US contribution to the security of our region,” Hanso said. “Estonia takes its own defence seriously and is investing more than 5% of GDP in defence this year. European Allies are assuming an increasing share of responsibility for our common security, but the US presence in Europe remains crucial to NATO’s strong deterrence and defence posture.”
According to Hanso, alongside security and defence cooperation, Estonia and the United States have many opportunities to further develop their bilateral relations. “We want to deepen cooperation particularly in maritime security, the economy, digital affairs and cybersecurity, and energy. Our partnership with the United States extends from security to the economy and is also underpinned by longstanding and close people-to-people ties.” Hanso added that the Estonian community also plays an important role in strengthening relations between Estonia and the United States.
Hannes Hanso was born in Nõo in 1971. He graduated from the University of London in 2005 with a degree in Asian politics. From 2005 to 2007, he worked in the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Defence. From 2009 to 2011, Hanso worked at the European Union Delegation to China and Mongolia. Hanso has served as Mayor of Kuressaare and as a member of the 13th Riigikogu, including as Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the National Defence Committee. From 2015 to 2016, Hanso served as Minister of Defence, and in 2019 he was a Member of the European Parliament. From 2023 to 2026, Hanso served as Estonia’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Mongolia and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
