Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus
Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus
Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus
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Because of the high level of Finnish technology, it is strategically important<br />
to identify opportunities <strong>for</strong> cooperation in the research <strong>and</strong> development<br />
activities carried out by the <strong>Estonia</strong>n <strong>and</strong> Finnish defence industries.<br />
Additionally, it is advisable to consider joint purchases of armaments. If<br />
necessary, this type of cooperation could be extended to other Baltic <strong>and</strong> Nordic<br />
countries. Considering the duties <strong>and</strong> needs of the <strong>Estonia</strong>n defence <strong>for</strong>ces,<br />
the biggest projects undertaken to date have been successful. For example,<br />
the delivery of armoured personnel carriers from Finl<strong>and</strong> completed one of the<br />
most extensive <strong>and</strong> important purchasing projects ever launched in <strong>Estonia</strong>.<br />
A debate has been conducted in Finl<strong>and</strong> as to whether it would be advisable<br />
to extend defence cooperation in the surveillance of sea areas primarily to<br />
the Baltic countries <strong>and</strong>, if possible, Russia. This means the extension of the<br />
cooperation in the surveillance of sea areas currently being carried out <strong>between</strong><br />
Finl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Sweden <strong>and</strong> potential cooperation in air space surveillance as<br />
well.<br />
By 2011, <strong>Estonia</strong>, Latvia <strong>and</strong> Lithuania are required make a decision as to how<br />
their air space surveillance will be organized from 2018. When the various<br />
options are weighed, it would be advisable to look into the possibilities of<br />
making use of the capabilities <strong>and</strong> hardware available from NATO’s PfP partner<br />
Finl<strong>and</strong>.<br />
<strong>Estonia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong> participate, together with Irel<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Norway, in the<br />
operations of the EU’s Nordic Battlegroup. It has proved to be a useful way of<br />
gaining experience in international defence cooperation. Other tasks of growing<br />
importance are to enhance civil-military coordination <strong>and</strong> provide development<br />
aid to third countries.<br />
Recommendation:<br />
• A joint <strong>Estonia</strong>n-Finnish working group on defence cooperation <strong>between</strong><br />
<strong>Estonia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong> should be established to invite experts to explore the<br />
potential <strong>for</strong> defence cooperation on a broad front.<br />
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