Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu visits Warsaw
05.08.2022
- Estonia is our close partner with whom we share common goals in foreign and security policy. I am glad that we speak with one voice on so many issues and I hope for continued and fruitful cooperation - stressed Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau after a meeting with the head of Estonian diplomacy Urmas Reinsalu.
In Warsaw on 5 August 2022, Minister Zbigniew Rau held consultations with Estonia’s newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu.
The talks focused on bilateral cooperation, security in the region, the situation in the eastern neighbourhood, and collaboration under the Three Seas Initiative. The ministers expressed satisfaction with Polish-Estonian relations and pointed to the highly dynamic political dialogue between the two countries. They reaffirmed mutual openness to close cooperation, both bilateral and within regional and international organisations. The main topic of the meeting was Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its consequences. The diplomats stressed the need to build defence and deterrence capabilities on NATO’s eastern flank and to extend sanctions against Russia.
- Our primary objective is to stop Russia and help Ukraine regain territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders - emphasised Minister Reinsalu. Minister Rau noted that the sanctions pressure against Russia should not only be maintained, but significantly increased. Poland’s and Estonia’s top diplomats stressed that it is necessary to continue providing multifaceted support to Ukraine. - Assisting Ukraine must remain our highest priority as long as Ukraine needs it - underscored Minister Rau.
The ministers agreed that those responsible for committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in the territory of Ukraine should be held to account. - We have actively been looking for effective ways in which to bring the perpetrators of such crimes in Ukraine to justice. We are ready to hold further talks with Ukraine as well as with other countries and interested parties on the matter - said Minister Rau.
At the same time, the two officials noted that granting Ukraine EU candidate status is the best strategic choice both for Ukraine and for the EU. The meeting also covered regional cooperation, particularly under the Three Seas Initiative, and stressed the need to adapt this format of collaboration to new challenges.
Łukasz Jasina
MFA Spokesperson
Photo: Sebastian Indra / MSZ
