Estonia, Legislation, Technology, USA

"In some ways the debate that started was unexpected – it came as a surprise to very many people that spies actually spy," Koort said in national television's morning program.

"We have no reason to fear such things since the people on whom information is collected are people who have in reality endangered the life or security of other people," he said.

"It certainly isn’t that everyone is being spied on – the inquiries that have taken place for example at court's permission, are very clearly documented, the activities of a policeman can be checked, there are corresponding units in the Riigikogu and ministries and that is being dealt with," said Koort.

As to how many international programmes are in use in Estonia, Koort said that he cannot talk about that. "But I can confirm that Estonia is not a participant in any programmes in a way that would be illegal or contradicting the Estonian legal room or directly harmed the rights of decent Estonian citizens."