Estonia will increase defence spending to accommodate NATO forces

The members of National Defence and Foreign Affairs Committees at the Estonian Parliament met with Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas and Defence Minister Sven Mikser today, in preparation of next week’s NATO summit in Wales. The common understanding among the politicians was that in the current circumstances, the military presence of NATO allies in Estonia is essential. Estonia is also ready to increase its defence spending in order to accommodate additional forces.

According to Mati Raidma, the Chairman of National Defence Committee at the parliament, there is a political consensus that Estonia will find financial resources in order to increase the allied presence in the country. Importantly, the associated costs will be covered by allocating extra funds to the defence budget, currently set at 2% of the nation´s GDP.

Estonia is one of the few members of NATO that actually spends 2% of its GDP on defence.