• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Minister Tsahkna in Copenhagen: we support Ukraine on the road to the EU

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

29.06.2023

Yesterday, on 28 June, Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna visited Denmark, where he gave the opening speech at a conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Copenhagen criteria. Before the conference, the minister met with Lars Løkke Rasmussen. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, and Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine. The minister also participated in the cyber defence roundtable.

In his speech at the conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Copenhagen criteria, Tsahkna stressed the importance of the European Union for the development of Estonia. "Estonia has proven itself to be one of the most liberal democracies in the world and the European Union has been a great inspiration and guide on this journey," said Tsahkna. "At the same time, we cannot forget that there are countries in our region where Russia and Belarus are trying to destroy freedom. Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression is of existential importance for the whole of Europe. The European Union and its Member States have acted swiftly and effectively in support of Ukraine and we must continue to do so."

In his speech, Tsahkna also stressed that a peaceful Europe in the future must include the freedom of each country to choose which union and community it belongs to, as being in a "grey area" is a security threat. "With enlargement, the European Union and NATO have clearly demonstrated that Europe is moving in a united and stable direction," said Tsahkna.

At a meeting with the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, Tsahkna stressed the importance of getting clear messages for Ukraine to join the Alliance from the NATO Vilnius Summit. The Minister also said that Estonia will offer Ukraine all the substantive support it needs to join the European Union. "We have been on this journey and we are ready to help every step of the way. Estonia will support Ukraine as long as it is needed," Tsahkna said.

The cyber defence roundtable discussed with Danish experts how to further strengthen cyber cooperation between the two countries, what could be done in the region to address the labour shortage of the sector and stressed the importance of involving the private sector in enhancing cyber defence.