The UK’s commitment to NATO and the defence of its ‘Eastern
Flank’ will be underlined today (Tuesday 30 May) as the Foreign
Secretary arrives in Tallinn to begin a two-leg visit to Northern
Europe.
In his first trip as Foreign Secretary to Estonia, will meet members of the new
Estonian Government to highlight the UK’s role as a steadfast
security partner, committed to deterring aggression and defending
all NATO Allies in times of crisis and conflict.
As a demonstration of that partnership, the Foreign Secretary
will visit the Royal Navy’s amphibious flagship, HMS Albion,
currently in the Baltic Sea for two months taking part in
military exercises with allies in the region, to hear from
British military personnel across all three British Armed Forces,
including some of the 850 UK troops currently stationed in the
country as part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence.
He will also underline the UK’s strong desire for continued close
cooperation on issues of importance to European security,
including sustained support for Ukraine and working together to
tackle illegal migration.
Cleverly will then visit Oslo for an informal meeting of NATO
Foreign Ministers to call for Sweden’s swift accession to the
Alliance ahead of the Vilnius Summit in July. Both Norway and
Estonia are also members of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force
(JEF), the group of like-minded, northern European nations
protecting democracy, security and stability in the region,
complementing wider NATO activity.
Ahead of his visit, Foreign Secretary said:
“In Estonia, across land, sea and air, British personnel are on
the frontline protecting Europe’s security and deterring Russia’s
cruel and catastrophic aggression.
“As NATO Allies, we are stronger than ever before – unified
against hostility and in defence of democracy and freedom.
“Not only is our military leading the way, our diplomats are
working across the globe to galvanise our partners and strengthen
international efforts to ensure Putin faces the consequences of
his barbaric actions.”
Cleverly will see first-hand how British forces personnel are
leading NATO’s land and air missions to Estonia, helping to
protect it on land, at sea and in the air.
At Amari air base, the Foreign Secretary will witness RAF
Typhoons taking to the skies as the current lead nation for
Baltic air policing out of Estonia, and see British Army Apache
and Wildcat helicopters supporting multi-national exercises.
Cleverly will speak to Estonian tech company founders to promote
economic ties between the UK and Estonia. He will review progress
on the UK-Estonia tech partnership, which aims to develop new
technologies in areas such as digital health and sustainable
energy as well as creating jobs and boosting economic
growth.
The Foreign Secretary will also pay a visit to a school set up in
Estonia for children of Ukrainian refugees, who have fled the
conflict in their country. Estonia has taken in more than 46,000
Ukrainians since the war began, offering them a safe haven away
from Russian bombardment.
On Wednesday, the Foreign Secretary will visit Oslo for an
informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers, where he will seek to
shore up political and military support to Ukraine.
He will also use the gathering as part of a continued push for
Sweden’s swift accession to NATO ahead of the Vilnius Summit in
July, telling allies that its full membership will significantly
boost NATO’s collective strength.
The Foreign Secretary’s trip follows visits to Moldova, Georgia
and Kazakhstan in March, three more countries facing Russia’s
malign activity on their doorstep.
