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Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna in his political statement to parliament: We must continue to stand together for Estonia's foreign policy and security

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

14.09.2023

Today 14 September, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna made a political statement at the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu), emphasising that the main task of Estonia's foreign policy is to make sure with our Allies and partners that Russia ends its aggression in Ukraine and compensates the damage it has caused.

To meet this objective, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is concentrating on three major policies: raising the cost of the aggression, supporting Ukraine and fighting impunity. "Estonia's message is unequivocal: our aim is to cause maximum damage to the aggressor state by using sanctions and comprehensive isolation," the minister said.

For this purpose, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is putting together a proposal for additional sanctions in the coming weeks, and will then seek the support of the European Union. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will introduce a pioneering bill for Europe to the government, giving Estonia and, setting a precedent, Europe, a legal mechanism for using Russia's frozen assets for reconstruction in Ukraine.

Speaking to all entrepreneurs, the minister stressed that any business with Russia helped the aggressor in its war and was therefore unreservedly unacceptable. "Stop this business," Tsahkna urged.

Full support to Ukraine remains an important policy for Estonia and it is calling on all the nations of the world to provide Ukraine with the equipment they need in battle, and do it much faster than has been the case so far.

Estonia is also convinced that those who have committed evil acts must receive a just punishment. This is why Estonia fully supports the investigation of war crimes and holding perpetrators to account, as well as the creation of a special international tribunal for the crime of aggression.

Touching on European Union and NATO enlargement, the minister underlined that Estonia clearly and firmly supported Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic ambitions.

The minister thanked the parliament for its unity and unanimity when making foreign policy decisions and said he hoped that in the future, too, domestic political conflicts would be put aside when dealing with foreign policy matters.

"When it comes to existential security issues, we speak confidently in one voice in the world, leaving the domestic competition between political parties at home," Tsahkna said in recognition of the parliament.

He reiterated that Russia's aggression in Ukraine has put so much more than just Ukraine's future at stake.

"If the international norm by the end of the war is that an aggressive major power can use weapons to destroy its smaller neighbours, change their borders and cancel entire nations, the order based on international law is unreservedly over and brutal power politics with all it entails have returned," Tsahkna noted.

"Therefore, for Estonia, nothing less that our existential security interests are at stake in this war," he added.

The full statement is available here: Statement on foreign policy by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna | Välisministeerium (vm.ee)