President Karis: Defence cooperation between Estonia and Finland knows no limits

Joining his Finnish counterpart Alexander Stubb in meeting with cadets at the National Defence University in Finland today, President Alar Karis stressed the central role that defence cooperation between Estonia and Finland plays in the security of both countries, as well as in the defence of the wider Baltic Sea region.

"When it comes to our two countries working together on defence, there are no limits," he remarked: "neither in our joint planning and procurements, nor in our joint operations and exercises. The logical next step for us to take is to extend that robust partnership to the entire Nordic-Baltic region. Together we form a strong deterrent and a credible military force whose leadership will also help to shape a more capable European pillar within NATO."

The head of state noted the key role played by the National Defence College in Santahamina in building up Estonia's Defence Forces. "The very first Estonian officers were trained here in the 1990s, and even today, a number of the senior figures in our Defence Forces are alumni of the college," he explained. "It is those ties that make our partnership such a natural and trusting one."

President Karis went on to speak about Finland's influence on the development of Estonia's defence model. "Following your example, Estonia has developed a comprehensive approach to national defence, with a strong system of conscription and reserves, which has established a solid foundation for our defence capabilities," he said.

Earlier this morning, the head of state attended a business seminar for defence companies at which, debating with President Alexander Stubb, he underscored the need to boost cooperation within the defence industry, reduce bureaucracy and streamline procurements.

"The question is not whether that cooperation will deepen, but how quickly and how ambitiously we take it to the next level," he stated. "We are already pursuing joint procurements, but what comes next is joint production and cross-border supply chains. The key here is to attract private money, making it easier for companies to obtain financing and supporting risk-taking. Cutting red tape and simplifying procurement procedures are also important."

President Karis described the recent drone incidents in Estonia and Finland as a stark reminder that new technologies are changing the face of warfare more quickly than systems are able to keep pace with them. "There are two obvious conclusions we can draw here," he added. "The first is that support for Ukraine remains the most direct contribution we can make to our own security. The second is that we need to develop a common sensor and warning network."

Gallery (Raigo Pajula/Office of the President): https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCScRX