Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Technology

Photo: riigikogu.ee

The chairmen and the minister agreed that over the years, the two countries have established very good relations in the field of education and culture. Defense cooperation has also increased year over year due to the strained international security situation, spokespeople for the Estonian parliament said.

Eesmaa, Mihkelson and Szijjarto also said that despite the excellent relations, it is important to increase cooperation between members of the Hungarian and Estonian parliaments, which in turn would aid the development of trade and tourism between the two countries.

Eesmaa thanked Hungary for its support in ensuring the security of the Baltic region and said that throughout the summer, a company-sized unit of Hungarian troops has been serving in Estonia in the framework of deterrence. The Hungarian minister said that the country is planning to once again participate in the air policing of the Baltic countries in 2019. Eesmaa added that topics discussed at the meeting also included the issue of the migration crisis.

Mihkelson emphasized that developments threatening the world's stability and peace require the unity of countries who share similar values as well as their efforts in adhering to international law and ensuring security in the region.

The Hungarian foreign minister commended Estonia as the EU presidency and said that other member states have the opportunity to learn from Estonia's digitial services. Eesmaa and Mihkelson on the other hand wished Hungary success as the presidency of the Visegrad group of countries. Hungary's responsibilities as the Visegrad presidency began in July as did the Estonian EU presidency.

Szijjarto on Friday visited the Taara campus of the 2nd Infantry Brigade in Estonia's southeastern regional capital Voru in order to get an overview of the activity of the Hungarian unit stationed there as well as survey their everyday life.