Letter to the Rt Honourable Ben Wallace MP: Tänukiri lahkuvale ministrile

287655 161290 0 0 The Right Honourable Ben Wallace MP Secretary of State for Defence The United Kingdom of Great Britain And Northern Ireland Tallinn, 31.08.2023 9.3-7/23/ Dear Ben , /k äsitsi/ As your term as the Secretary of State for Defence is drawing to a close , I would like to take the opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks and express my sincerest delight for having worked with you to enhance the defence cooperation between Estonia and the United Kingdom. In recent years, the UK has become an even closer friend and ally for Estonia . The UK’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the Alliance’s deterrence and defence posture in Estonia and the region is widely recognised. I would like to thank you for y our support in formalising the implementation of strengthened NATO’s posture in Estonia. Foremost, this is demonstrated by the UK’s commitment to allocate a balance of a UK Brigade, as well as for the UK’s o utstanding role as the framework nation of NATO enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup in Estonia. Russia’s war in Ukraine will define the future of European and transatlantic security and so it remains crucial for the Alliance to jointly stand against Russia’s belligerent objectives. I have greatly valued your personal role and partnership in this over the last year. It was my sincere pleasure to host you in Estonia last January in order to discuss and express our increased assistance and efforts in supporting Ukraine. I very much enjoyed our very frank discussions at our numerous meetings bilaterally and at NATO, the Joint Expeditionary Force and Northern Group meetings. I believe the defence relationship between Estonia and the United Kingdom is as strong as ever and will continue to grow. Once again, thank you for your excellent partnership in achieving this. I sincerely wish you success for your future endeavours. Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration and respect. Yours sincerely, /käsitsi/ Hanno Pevkur Minister of Defence Republic of Estonia