Dear Excellences, dear friends,
This year has been remarkable, as Estonia celebrated the 100-years of diplomatic relations anniversaries with many of our closest allies. With some other friends, it was the 25-year or 30-year anniversary of our diplomatic relations and I sincerely wish, our excellent cooperation and friendship will continue to grow and we will have many celebrations waiting us in the future. In this, dear friends, I appreciate your efforts and expect the wise contribution.
This year Estonia served at the United Nations Security Council, another reason why the year was extraordinary for us. We had an obligation to seek for solutions to security challenges around the world. Unfortunately, the year unfolded new crisis from Myanmar to Afghanistan and Belarus to Ethiopia just to name a few. In all these conflicts, the human rights are brutally violated.
We must continue to highlight and condemn that, as well as to make sure that one day we can hold violators accountable and bring them to justice. It is absurd that in Afghanistan, Taliban is not afraid of bombs but the education, especially the women’s education.
I can say in full confidence that we gave our best effort at the Security Council to give focus to global security risks from cyber threats to new kind of hostile hybrid actions, like instrumentalisation of migration. I am proud of our diplomats’ achievements.
One positive lesson from the past year is that, if the EU acts like Team Europe, we are unstoppable. We are powerful and able to react fast to solve even the most difficult problems we are facing. If anyone believes that it is possible to scare and divide us, then this assumption has proven to be wrong.
The bigger the crisis, the more united we stand and this cooperation for us is priceless. Unity is our strength and our way to act. Together we responded to the state-sponsored hybrid attack, orchestrated migration pressure at the EU borders, together we´ll beat the COVID-19 crisis.
We are still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, which unfortunately sets the limits also to diplomatic communication and in person interactions. Perhaps this is also the reason why we are witnessing alarming developments at our close neighbourhood, which demand our focused attention.
Although, we are approaching to Christmas with the hope of peace and joy, the year is ending unfortunately with disturbingly nervous notes.
We are following with great concern the threatening military actions against Ukraine. Further escalation of the situation would put at risk the security of Europe as a whole.
We must all do our part to minimize such risks and put our efforts into dialogue and diplomacy, and into establishing a credible deterrence, if needed by enhancing Allied military posture in the Baltic region.
The EU stands united in this, we continue to fully support Ukraine, by all means in our toolbox. We are prepared to respond to any further aggressions and ready to take additional restrictive measures in coordination with our partners. Same feelings are dominant in NATO.
We must not forget that every country has the undeniable right to make its own foreign and security policy choices. No third country has a say in that. This principle is enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris and other international documents. Spheres of influence do not belong into the 21st century. That is why we condemn all aggressive actions that undermine Euro-Atlantic security and proposals for regional solutions, which would go back to spheres of influence in Europe.
NATO’s contribution to stability and security in Europe has been unparalleled. NATO’s Open Door policy has been a success story and Allies are committed to it, as most recently confirmed at the Brussels Summit last summer. I would like to underline, that NATO is a defensive alliance, its purpose is to protect and defend its member states. NATO does not consider any country as its enemy.
There is no “contact line” between NATO and Russian forces. There are internationally recognized borders of NATO Allies.
Every nation has the right to conduct exercises, but it is important that they are conducted transparently and in line with international obligations. NATO’s deployments on Allied territory are strictly defensive and in line with our international commitments and the right to individual and collective self-defence under UN Charter.
May I remind you, that NATO’s forward presence is a response to the occupation of Crimea and aggression in Eastern Ukraine. It is the reaction to hostile actions and not the contrary.
Both political and high-level military channels for communication with Russia are open. We regret that Russia has not responded to NATO’s offer to hold a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council. A meaningful dialogue and the willingness to engage constructively must be the basis for our cooperation.
We firmly believe in openness, rules-based international order, which is unfortunately challenged now in many ways. We have agreements signed and international organisations established with the aim to promote peace, security and prosperity, not to divide states and nations or to diminish hope for the better future.
However, international organisations can only be as effective as its members allow it to be.
We are very grateful for the support to our OSCE 2024 Chairmanship candidature. Regrettable, that there was no consensus in Stockholm on that.
Misuse of the consensus rule counteracts the realization of the organisation’s vital decisions, interests and principles. Therefore undermines the organisations credibility and importance.
Excellences,
I would like to end with a more positive note. This year brought us a clear mentality change in climate issues. We are all on the same page in understanding the importance of global climate goals. We must continue our efforts to do our part to achieve the necessary change, as for many countries global warming is an existential issue. With pride, I note that the EU is globally the frontrunner in Green transition and I will keep this transition a priority for Estonia.
We all know what can happen when diplomacy fails.
Therefore, I urge you dear diplomats, to be wise and act smart on your important role, minimize the risks of miscalculations, build partnerships and dialogue to prevent hostile acts. Last but not least, to ensure, that no one is speaking with anyone over the other´s head.
With this, I wish you all a peaceful holiday season and a Merry Christmas!
