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The President of the Republic met the Secretary General of NATO29.11.2001
 President Arnold Rüütel had a meeting with Lord George Robertson, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, in the presidential palace of Kadriorg today.
The President of the Republic assured the Secretary General of NATO that for Estonia, accession to NATO continues to be one of the top priorities in foreign policy. As the President said, all the main political parties in the Riigikogu have the same positions on joining NATO, and the need to increase the defence expenditure to 2% of the GDP in next years budget is not disputed. The Secretary General of NATO was glad to hear that among Estonians, the support to joining NATO continues to be strong. Lord Robertson said that the opinion of the people is very important, because it is states NATO accepts as its members, not governments or institutions.
Lord George Robertson thanked Estonia for the fast response and offer of assistance after the events of September 11 in the United States of America. He also recognised Estonias participation in the international peacekeeping operations, where Estonia has been present according to her possibilities. This is an area where Estonia has proved her ability to behave as a NATO member.
The Secretary General of NATO emphasised that in the changed international security atmosphere it is very important for NATO that each new state applying for membership in the Alliance should make its contribution to the production of security; he is also convinced that already today, Estonia is no longer just a consumer of security.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, November 29, 2001
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