Baltic States – CIS, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Security

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Kaljulaid met with Mattarella on Wednesday in Tallinn and their meeting focused on the migration crisis and security issues, which are the main challenges in the European Union and NATO and to solve these countries have to remain united, spokespeople for the president said.

The Estonian president thanked her Italian colleague for the country's contribution to the Baltic air policing mission and for participating in the Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Tallinn. At the same time, she emphasized Estonia's role in solving the problems in southern Europe and highlighted that all Estonia's foreign missions are at present in the direction of the South. "Estonia is contributing to solving the migration crisis according to the agreements made so far, the members of our defense forces are taking part in the European Union's maritime mission," Kaljulaid said.

When speaking about Russia, Kaljulaid stressed that the strongest message against Russia's hostile behavioral pattern is unity and resolve of the EU. "We see no reason to change the decisions made in Warsaw and Wales, and the common sanction policy has to continue until Russia has not begun to change its behavior and meet its commitments," Kaljulaid said and thanked Italy for its decision to extend the sanctions against Russia by six months.

"Like the migration crisis is not Italy's problem, the issue of security of the eastern flank of NATO is not our region's problem, but the common challenge of Europe and the transatlantic network," Kaljulaid said after the meeting.

Mattarella arrived on a two-day visit to Estonia on Wednesday. The last time an Italian president made a visit on such a level to Estonia was in 2004.