Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna was on a visit to Rome today, 24 March, where discussions with Italy’s
Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani focused on the latest developments in the Middle East, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and their impact on European security, as well as on deterring Russia’s shadow fleet.
According to the foreign minister, Estonia and Italy, as Allies in NATO and partners in the European Union, face similar challenges in areas such as the economy, competitiveness and security.
“Estonia highly values Italy’s contribution to the defence of NATO’s eastern flank through its participation in the NATO air policing mission in Ämari, where, particularly on 19 September last year, Italy demonstrated highly professional conduct in defending NATO airspace during a violation by three Russian fighter aircraft,” Tsahkna said. “At the same time, Estonia is committed to NATO’s 360-degree approach, addressing threats emanating from the south through participation in various missions, including in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.”
The meeting also addressed achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
“Russia’s brutal attacks against Ukraine last night show that Russia has not changed anything in its aggression against Ukraine. Therefore, Europe must keep its focus on supporting Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia,” Tsahkna said.
“It is in the interests of European security as a whole that Russia does not succeed in changing borders by force, and that Europe is prepared to stand firm against the most serious and long-term threat emanating from Russia,” Tsahkna said. “Therefore, we must continue supporting Ukraine, increasing pressure on Russia, advancing the establishment of a special tribunal, and strengthening the deterrence and defence posture of NATO Allies.”
The foreign ministers also discussed in detail steps to deter Russia’s shadow fleet.
“Russia uses the shadow fleet to circumvent sanctions and finance its war machine, and this poses a threat both in the Baltic Sea and in the Mediterranean, as clearly illustrated by the case of the shadow fleet vessel Arctic Metagaz, which is currently at risk of sinking between Italy and Malta.”
The meeting also addressed Estonia’s initiative to impose entry bans to the Schengen area on Russian combatants.
“As a very important development, the conclusions of last week’s European Council noted that ex-combatants who have taken part in Russia’s military activities pose a potential threat to the internal security of the European Union and called on the European Commission to propose solutions to address this issue,” Tsahkna said, expressing his gratitude to Italy for its cooperation.
The foreign minister also raised the plan to allow Russia to participate in this year’s Venice Biennale, stressing that as long as Russia continues its war of aggression, its international isolation must also continue.
In Rome, Tsahkna also met with Senator Stefania Craxi, Chair of the Italian Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, and participated as a guest in the committee’s weekly informal meeting. He also met with Senator Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, Chair of the Senate Committee on European Union Policies.
Additional information:
Communication Department
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