An Estonian Navy (Merevägi) officer has been appointed new commander of a NATO mines coutermeasures group. Naval (Merevägi) Officer Cdr Ott Laanemets is now the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1), and has relieved Cdr Michal Dziugan of the Polish Navy (Marynarka Wojenna), following a ceremony held in TallinnContinue Reading
The general public and politicians have to decide whether universal military conscription in Lithuania should include women, Darius Kuliesius, President Gitanas Nauseda’s chief national security advisor, said on Tuesday. “It is society as a whole and all politicians who have to make a decision on this matter,” the advisor toldContinue Reading
Universal military conscription for young people just out of high school could be introduced in Lithuania in 2027 or 2029 and would cost the state hundreds of millions of euros, according to a feasibility study carried out by the Defense Ministry. The document said that preparations for universal conscription wouldContinue Reading
Newly discharged conscripts to hand back items including socks and bras, to be washed and reused Norwegian conscripts are to return their underwear after completing military service for the next recruits, as the army struggles with dwindling supplies due to Covid. Norway, which guards Nato’s northern borders and shares aContinue Reading
NATO must discuss European security issues with all allies, Estonian President Alar Karis said following a phone call with United States President Joe Biden and other heads of state of NATO’s Eastern European members on Thursday. “Estonia’s position is clear — NATO discusses the security issues of Europe, including thoseContinue Reading
The delegation of the foreign affairs committee of the Estonian parliament visited Washington, D.C. to meet with members of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States, according to committee chairman Marko Mihkelson, security assistance to the Baltic states should remain at least on the current level.Continue Reading
Minister of Foreign Affairs Eva-Maria Liimets (Center) said on the second day of the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Riga that the alliance is still prepared to welcome Ukraine and Georgia and that no other country has any right or influence in the decision. That’s right but let’s notContinue Reading
The government has called up 1,684 reservists to a week-long training exercise, Okas 2021. It will include the construction of a “temporary border fence” of up to 40 kilometers. On the proposal of the Commander of Estonian Defence Forces Martin Herem, 1,636 reservists mainly from engineer units will be includedContinue Reading
Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks said the country is “currently one step from invoking Article 4 of the NATO Treaty” over the migrant situation on the Belarusian and Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian borders, public broadcaster LSM reported on Tuesday. Pabriks told Latvian Radio it has been agreed the countries will supportContinue Reading
NATO must take “concrete steps” to resolve the migrant crisis on the Belarus border, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was quoted as saying on Sunday, adding that Poland, Lithuania and Latvia may ask for consultations under Article 4 of the alliance’s treaty. Under Article 4, any ally can request consultationsContinue Reading