Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the ceasefire agreed between Israel and Lebanon through United States mediation is an important step towards achieving lasting peace and will help ease tensions across the Middle East.
“I welcome the ceasefire announced between Israel and Lebanon, which was brokered by the United States,” said Tsahkna. “This is a very important step towards de-escalation and achieving lasting peace in the region.”
The Foreign Minister highlighted that the agreement contains important measures to stabilise the security situation in southern Lebanon. A central element of the agreement is Hezbollah’s commitment to cease attacks against Israel and withdraw from areas south of the Litani River. This creates the conditions necessary for the ceasefire to hold and opens the way for further negotiations aimed at achieving a lasting peace.
Tsahkna also emphasised the importance of the agreement in strengthening Lebanon’s state institutions.
“The agreement provides the Lebanese government with a genuine opportunity to restore state authority throughout its territory, and the United States has pledged to actively support these efforts,” he said.
“Estonia supports international assistance to the Lebanese government in order to advance the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, strengthen state control throughout the country, and restore Lebanon’s full sovereignty,” Tsahkna said. “The people of Lebanon have borne the heavy burden of this conflict and continue to need the support of the international community.”
Estonia has consistently supported diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. Today, a joint statement led by Canada was also issued, calling on the parties to cease hostilities and respect Lebanon’s sovereignty. In addition to Estonia, the statement was joined by the other Nordic-Baltic countries, Australia, France, and the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
The joint statement is available here.
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