Madam ambassador, ladies and gentlemen,
I’m pleased to award you the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 2nd class. Throughout your career you have been a true friend of Estonia, and your contribution to the security of NATO’s eastern flank and Europe at large are unique. We are grateful that you took our concerns to heart when many still dismissed them. You not only listened to us, but you helped to raise awareness of the threats that Russia presented our collective security.
In particular, let me thank you for your significant contributions to Euro-Atlantic security as the US Permanent Representative to NATO. Your Estonian counterpart at the time has shared with me the warm and personal approach that you brought to diplomacy in Brussels. Your belief in the continued importance of NATO allowed you to help reach agreement on difficult, but important issues.
Your work personified the American leadership that is crucial for the Alliance to function. Through your personal efforts, NATO came closer to America, including through Secretary General Stoltenberg’s memorable speech at the US Congress.
Estonia and in Europe are grateful to firm believers in the trans-Atlantic bond such as yourself. We all understand that the historical security connection between USA and Europe is not something that we can take for granted. Your work is a great example of how we can make sure that this bond is never broken.
Thank you!
