Estonian Opinion Leaders Advise Ukraine in NATO Integration

The Tallinn-based Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association and a number of well-known Estonian experts will hold a training session for Ukrainian NGOs aimed at passing along Estonia’s experience in the field of NATO accession. From 16-20 February, the training programme will feature presentations by Riigikogu members Mart Laar, Sven Mikser and Hannes Rumm, sociologist Juhan Kivirähk, professor David Vseviov, entrepreneur Raivo Vare, journalist Viktoria Ladõnskaja and many other experts in defence and foreign policy.

According to Victoria Punga, Secretary General of the Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association, the primary objective of the event is to share Estonia’s experience in the NATO accession process as well as reform experience and democracy development. “As the precondition for a stable society is a strong and knowledgeable civil society, the goal of the training is to give our visitors an overview of how Estonia’s civil society works and what it has encountered,” said Punga.

In addition, a number of issues from the field of foreign policy, national defence and education will be discussed at the seminar. On the practical side of things, the Ukrainians will also familiarize themselves with Estonia’s e-government and visit the 1st Estonian Infantry Brigade stationed in Paldiski.

“Even though Ukraine has successfully expressed its NATO ambitions, popular support for integration with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is still extremely low,” added Punga. For this reason, Punga said, the training programme includes a significant number of lectures on Estonia’s experience in educating the public about NATO and defence reforms in the broader sense.

The purpose of the Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association is to raise public awareness of NATO and national defence issues. The Association works closely with other similar civic initiative based organization in NATO as well as partner countries, serving as a member of the umbrella organization uniting NATO associations around the world.

The project is financed by the Open Estonia Foundation under the East-East Partnership Beyond Borders Program.


More information:
Victoria Punga
Secretary General, Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association
victoria@eata.ee