Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus

APPENDIX 8
DEFENCE
After Estonia regained its independence, about two-thirds of the Estonian
officer corps have received training of different levels and duration in the
Finnish Defence Forces. Officials have been exchanged between the Estonian
and Finnish defence ministries. From 2004 to 2006, the Estonian Embassy in
Helsinki serves as the liaison embassy with NATO. In this role, it was tasked
to relay information between NATO and Finland. Considering the frequent
reciprocal visits by high-level representatives of the defence ministries and
high command, it is justifiable to talk about a special relationship between
Estonia and Finland in the field of defence.
Although the Estonian defence forces and officers corps are still in the process
of being formed, it is safe to say that defence cooperation between Estonia
and Finland has, in recent years, developed towards an equal partnership.
Estonia is no longer just the receiving party but is also capable of offering
something itself. Estonia has shared its experiences of NATO membership and
operations in Iraq and Afghanistan with Finland.
In order to develop cooperation in defence training, it would be necessary to
carry out a comprehensive study and analysis of the general training needs
and opportunities of the two countries. Because we share a common sea area,
it would be advisable to consider systematic training of Estonian naval officers
in the Finnish Naval Academy. As it is, it does not make sense to establish a
naval college in Estonia considering its needs and resources.
Also provision of PhD- level training for Estonian officers at the Finnish National
Defence University would be sensible because no such opportunities exist in
Estonia at present. The need for the highest academic defence education is
all the more acute simply in order to provide Estonia with its own researchers
and teachers.
In the long term, it would be in the best interests of both countries if Finnish top
experts could be involved in the activities of NATO’s joint cyber defence centre
(NATO Kollektiivne Küberkaitse Oivakeskus) scheduled to commence operations
in Tallinn towards the end of 2008. Of equal importance is that Finland continues
to invest in the Baltic Defence College by dispatching teachers and students.
This would guarantee the participation of foreign teaching staff while at the
same time offering Finland the opportunity to have its officers trained at a
defence college offering the highest level of education in the Baltic region.
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