President Karis drew attention to the sharp increase in Russia’s defence spending and the need to increase investment in the European defence industry. “I call on countries to jointly discuss setting a new target for defence spending, so it would be above 2 percent of GDP,” he said. Estonia currently spends more than 3% of GDP on military defence.
According to President Karis, the most comprehensive possible cooperation between the European Union and the United States is of key importance for both sides. “This cooperation is essential in supporting Ukraine and countering Russia’s aggression, but most importantly, close transatlantic relations are essential in strengthening the security of Europe,” he added. Estonia supports the removal of unnecessary barriers in EU-US trade relations, for example through the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and a Free Trade Agreement.
The Estonian Head of State emphasise that in order to deter Russia, it is crucial to secure Ukraine’s future in NATO: “NATO accession should be an inseparable part of Ukraine’s future.”
Speaking about helping Ukraine as a victim of war, President Karis called on European countries not to impose restrictions on the use of military aid. “I call on the Allies to provide Ukraine with military assistance of at least 0.25 per cent of the country’s GDP,” said the President of the Republic.
He considered it crucial to increase support to Ukraine’s energy sector before winter arrives. “Estonia supports Ukraine with a 200 megawatt energy block, which will help generate electricity for 150,000 people in the cold winter,” President Karis said.
The Estonian Head of State also touched upon the geopolitical necessity of the enlargement of the European Union, emphasising that stable peace in Europe is only possible without so-called grey zones, and highlighted the progress made by Ukraine and Moldova in their integration with the European Union, which can also serve as an inspiration for the Western Balkan countries. At the same time, President Karis expressed concern about the direction Georgia is taking, with the government taking steps that undermine the clarity of the country’s path towards the European Union.
President Karis also reiterated the need to reform the United Nations and limit the Security Council’s veto power, so that the global organisation can respond more effectively to today’s global challenges and establish peace where war has taken over. “The UN must serve a world order based on international rules,” he added.
The Arraiolos Group is the name of a series of informal meetings that started in 2003, the member countries of which do not participate in the work of the European Council. This year’s meeting in Kraków was attended by the presidents of Estonia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia.
Gallery: Office of the President of the Republic/Raigo Pajula https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBMr9b
