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The National Defence Council discussed fundamentals of security policy and the development of Defence Forces17.03.2004
The National Defence Council meeting today at Kadriorg discussed national strategic documents related to the Estonian security policy and the development of the Defence Forces.
At the meeting chaired by President Rüütel, Prime Minister Juhan Parts at first gave a talk on the Fundamentals of the Security Policy of the Republic of Estonia (2004). This document has been drawn up already based on Estonia's membership in NATO and the European Union, and will replace the previous security policy fundamentals endorsed by the Riigikogu. The draft security policy fundamentals in the near future should be presented to a cabinet meeting of the Government and, after consultation with relevant government agencies, to a meeting of the Government of the Republic and, thereafter, to the Riigikogu.
Minister of Defence Margus Hanson gave a talk on a strategic plan for military defence, and also on the structure and development plan of the Defence Forces up to 2010. Minister of Internal Affairs Margus Leivo in connection with the terrorist attacks on 11 March in Madrid gave a brief overview of Estonia's readiness in the field of internal security.
President Rüütel during the discussion about the talks said that the fundamentals of security policy presented by the Prime Minister should become a basic document for drawing up other documents concerning our national defence. During the discussion about the development of the Defence Forces, the President of the Republic stressed the importance of the people's defence will saying, among other things that, while planning a strategy, it was necessary to highlight the issue of our independent basic defence.
The National Defence Council serves as the advisory body for the President of the Republic as Supreme Commander of National Defence. The Membership of the Council consists of the Chairman of the Riigikogu, the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Riigikogu's National Defence Committee, the Chairman of the Riigikogu's Foreign Affairs Committee, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Justice and the Commander of the Defence Forces.
Public Relations Unit of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, March 17, 2004
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