U.S.-Estonia relations were just one of several topics discussed in a recent meeting at the Pentagon between U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Estonian Minister of Defense Hannes Hanso, the Pentagon said this week.
Carter thanked Hanso for Estonia's steady support for U.S. operations in Afghanistan, the Balkans and Africa, as well as the nation's budding plan to send military trainers to help anti-ISIL forces in Iraq.
Carter also expressed gratitude for Estonia's continued hospitality in hosting U.S. and NATO forces. Carter and Hanso also discussed their concerns about Russian aggression in Europe, especially the Baltic region, and the destabilizing effects of such activity. Carter assured Hanso that the U.S. would continue to help protect Estonia from this aggression.
The defense ministers also discussed the upcoming NATO Summit in Poland and the importance of deterring threats against NATO's Southern and Eastern flanks.
Carter and Hanso also agreed to boost cyber-defense efforts, partly through the NATO-accredited Cyber Defense Center of Excellence, based in Tallinn, Estonia, and through other cyber-security efforts.
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