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 | Speeches | | |
The President of the Republic at the closing ceremony of international field exercise "Baltic Eagle 2002" on September 21, 2002, at Tapa21.09.2002
Mr Admiral,
Excellencies,
Servicemen of Allied Forces,
Members of the Defence Forces and Defence League,
Today, at the closing ceremony of the combined training exercise "Baltic Eagle", I am very glad to see the military co-operation between the three Baltic States functioning in practice. Just these day-to-day efforts demanding soldiers' sweat, pain and privation rather than high-sounding declarations will bring us together to the main goal of our security policy - membership of NATO.
I would like to thank you, Servicemen from all participating countries for your contribution to the exercise. I would like to highlight especially the participation of the Danish 3rd Jutland Brigade's Staff in the exercise with this establishing a precedent: for the first time the staff of a NATO member's unit has exercised on Estonian soil.
I would like to thank personally all of you: Soldiers, Members of the Defence League, NCO-s and Officers for having proven once more that our defence forces are ready to join NATO!
At the same time, we should not for a minute forget that not only the Defence Forces but also our whole nation will join NATO.
I would like to thank the residents of Harju and Lääne-Viru Counties for their understanding attitude and support to carrying out the exercise. When we have a strong and well-trained army you can be sure that enemy soldiers' boots will never trample our land!
I would like to wish all participants in the exercise a safe and happy return home and every success in further service!
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