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

Francois Hollande and Taavi Rõivas. Photo: valitsus.ee

The meeting focussed on the issues of security and on options for making presence of NATO allied forces more permanent in the Baltic States region.

The Estonian head of Government said that the reactions from the European Union and NATO allies towards the events in Ukraine were very timely. He thanked the President of France for his country’s contribution to the Baltic Air Policing Mission.

Rõivas said that expectations for the NATO Summit in September are high, and Estonians’ aim is to receive more permanent support from its allies, including from the French. “Our desire is to see a more visible and permanent presence of allies in our region,” he said.

According to Rõivas, in the changed security situation, Estonians are concerned over France’s plan to sell two Mistral class descent vessels to Russia. He added that the transaction will have a clear impact on the European security situation.

Rõivas and Hollande also talked about the joint EU mission to Central African Republic, about the upcoming European Council meeting and about sanctions against Russia.