Other events in Baltic States

The NATO foreign ministers two-day unofficial meeting opens in Tallinn on Thursday, focussing on the alliance’s strategic concept and enlargement, NATO-Russia relations, future of nuclear armament, missile defence and Afghanistan mission, LETA/National Broadcasting reports.

In connection with logistical problems due to the Icelandic volcano ash cloud, foreign ministers of Iceland and Georgia, New Zealand an Canada have announced that they would not be attending the event; UK’s foreign minister will also not be coming, due to upcoming elections in the UK.

During the event, several meeting of the high guests with Estonian state leaders will take place. For example Estonian foreign minister Urmas Paet, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip will have meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Urmas Paet and Hillary Clinton will give a joint press conference on Thursday.

Estonian Riigikogu chairwoman Ene Ergma will attend the Thursday evening working dinner of the NATO foreign ministers meeting. The meeting of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen will take place Thursday before noon and the meeting of Rasmussen and prime minister Andrus Anisp Thursday morning.

Estonian National Broadcasting will make international broadcasts of the NATO foreign ministers meeting on Thursday and Friday via EBU.

Residents are reminded that due to the meeting, there are major traffic restrictions and changes in central Tallinn and there is temporary border control at Estonian borders.

Postimees writes that in addition to the NATO foreign ministers meeting, also NATO Afghanistan International Security Forces (ISAF) meeting takes place in Tallinn on Friday, where delegations of 46 states participate.