Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna was on a visit to Israel today, 17 March, where in meetings with President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar he discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and their links to European security, as well as cooperation between Iran and Russia.
“Long-term stability in the Middle East is important to Estonia, and today’s visit during an ongoing and active military conflict is proof of that,” Tsahkna said. “The Iranian regime’s nuclear and missile programme, its support for terrorist groups, its assistance to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and its violent behaviour towards its own people pose a threat to regional and global security. For this reason, we support the steps taken by the United States and Israel to eliminate these threats,” the foreign minister said.
According to Tsahkna, the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East have clearly demonstrated how closely interconnected security in Europe and the Middle East is. “It is also very clear whose side Russia is on in this conflict and whose side Ukraine is on,” Tsahkna said. “Russia’s exchange of information on targets or tactics in drone warfare is one of the ways in which it supports the regime in Tehran in achieving its objectives. At the same time, Ukraine has offered its assistance both to the United States and to the Gulf countries, including in countering drones.”
“This demonstrates that it is in the interests of both European and Middle Eastern security to maintain pressure on Russia and to continue supporting Ukraine,” Tsahkna said. He added that he commended Israel’s support for Ukraine and called for it to be further increased.
The meetings also addressed the impact of the hostilities on rising energy prices, which generate revenue for Russia’s war machine. “We support all steps to ensure maritime security and freedom of navigation. At the same time, it is important to ensure that Russia does not benefit from developments in the Middle East and that its state budget revenues do not increase,” Tsahkna said.
The situation in Gaza and the West Bank was also discussed. According to Tsahkna, Estonia expects the launch of Phase II of the Gaza peace plan and the disarmament of Hamas. The foreign minister noted that the region’s security situation continues to be exacerbated by the development of illegal settlements in the West Bank, the destruction of Palestinian property and settler violence. “These actions jeopardise the two-state solution, which from Estonia’s perspective is the only way to ensure long-term peace and security in the region for both Israelis and Palestinians,” Tsahkna said.
Lebanon was also discussed, where, Tsahkna noted, Hezbollah’s involvement in the hostilities and Israel’s counter-attacks further complicate the situation in the region.
“The greatest suffering is borne by the people of Lebanon. De-escalation must be based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, and the European Union has an important role to play in stabilising Lebanon,” Tsahkna said.
“Today’s visit also lays the groundwork for continuing to advance the bilateral partnership between Estonia and Israel once the international situation stabilises, primarily in the fields of innovation and cyber security, as well as strengthening economic cooperation and cooperation in the field of defence,” Tsahkna said.
The foreign minister noted that this year marks one hundred years since the Estonian government’s decision to grant Jews a unique cultural autonomy, which characterises the long-standing special relationship between our countries. He added that over the decades Estonia has, in many respects, taken inspiration from and learned from the resilience of Israeli society.
Photos from the foreign minister’s visit to Israel.
Press conference of the Estonian and Israeli foreign ministers.
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