Dear Minister, dear Madame Parly,
These are not easy times. For Estonia, for Europe, and of course – first and foremost for Ukraine. Russia’s war touches us all. I definitely hoped that I would never see the day when battles are raging just across the EU border.
And it is not just an attack on one nation, it is an attack on the values we hold so dear – democracy, human dignity, and the right of a nation to choose its security arrangements.
24th February, when the war started, was Estonia’s Independence Day. Still shocked from the news from Ukraine, I presided over our Independence Day parade.
Next to our own troops, I saw French tanks from the NATO battle group in Estonia rolling across Freedom Square. A powerful reminder of the French commitment to collective defence, to our indivisible security. But also the feeling that friends, such as France, will be here for good weather and for bad.
Madame Parly, you have played a critical role in building a strong defence relationship between Estonia and France. I would go so far as to say that since 2017, the relationship has undergone a transformation – today France is one of Estonia’s closest allies.
Our troops stand together in Mali, like they do in Estonia, and work with each other in the European Intervention Initiative. As the crisis deepened, France chose to extend the presence of the French contingent in Tapa, and to bring forward the deployment to the air policing mission in Ämari.
The close security cooperation also extends to substantial political coordination in NATO, EU and other fora. Not to mention frequent political contacts at all levels of government, and the armed forces. Thanks to this, Estonia is better protected, Europe is better protected.
You have personally made an invaluable contribution to this, and I thank you on behalf of the Estonian people. Estonia is honoured to have you as a friend and ally, and I couldn’t be more pleased to award you the Order of the Terra Mariana, 2nd class. Thank you!
