EAPC-Defence Ministers' Meeting Brussels, 18 Dec. 1998

Intervention by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia, Mr. Andrus vel Secretary General, dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, Let me pick up on Deputy Secretary Hamre's remarks on Partnership Simulation Network. Estonia does highly appreciate the initiatives to enhance the PfP Program. Partnership Simulation Network (PSN) is one among the initiatives like Consortium of Defence Academies and Research Institutions and the PfP Training Centres. I would like to stress the importance of the Partnership Simulation Network, which, particularly in Estonian case, is a great opportunity to improve training for our staff officers in a most cost-effective way. In a real world the resources are always limited, in a virtual world of simulation we can expand and extend the limits. The PSN gives every partner country an opportunity to play an active part at the CJTF-oriented exercises using a PSO scenario. An officer having an access to the Partnership Information Management System (PIMS) can play a role or observe the exercise without leaving his or her desk. I am particularly happy to note here that Estonia holds a 6th place in whole Europe in terms of per capita INTERNET connections. Information technology is a future for Estonia, and perhaps our comparative advantage. What we lack in numbers and territory we can make up in the realms of information age. We look forward to the PSN Demonstration during the Washington Summit, of which 4 Estonian officers will take part in. As the Washington Summit draws closer we do cherish different ways of enhancing NATO's practical co-operation with partners, the aim of which is our common interest of creating and maintaining stability and peace in Europe. This is why Estonia supports international community's efforts to guarantee peace and stability in Bosnia and in Kosovo, and we are ready to share the burden, whether it is political or, if need be, military one. Mr. Chairman, Estonia would also like to see the Washington Summit to devise a more clearly defined formulation on the open-doors policy coupled with a concrete way ahead for applicant countries. Thank you