Maryland–Estonia National Guard Partnership
| Part of the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program | |
 | |
| Origin | 1993 |
|---|---|
| Country president | Toomas Hendrik Ilves |
| Prime minister | Andrus Ansip |
| Minister of defense | Urmas Reinsalu |
| Ambassador to U.S. | Marina Kaljurand |
| Ambassador to Estonia | James D. Melville Jr. |
| Adjutant general | MG Timothy E. Gowen |
| 2012 Engagements | 9[1] |
| NATO member | Yes (2004) |
| EU member | Yes (2004) |
The Maryland–Estonia National Guard Partnership is one of 25 European partnerships that make-up the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program and one of 88 worldwide partnerships that make-up the National Guard State Partnership Program.[2] The partnership serves as a success model to other nations.
History[edit]
 |
- EU and NATO accession in 2004 / Eurozone in Jan 2011
- The Estonian economy has recovered to pre-crisis levels and is reporting approximately 1.9% growth.
- Major concerns: energy security, cyber defense, emigration "brain drain" and initial defense.
- NATO is the cornerstone of Estonia's National Security. Their defense model focuses on Initial Defense and NATO led Expeditionary Operations.
- Estonia cooperates extensively with Latvia and Lithuania on joint military exercises. However, Estonia views itself primarily as a Nordic country, not Baltic and has close cultural and governmental ties with those countries.[3]
Partnership focus[edit]
The current focus of the Maryland-Estonia Partnership is purely military-to-military based and includes ISAF Operational Support, Cyber Defense, Special Operations Forces (SOF) development, EST Air Force development, and the development of a Veteran Care/Warrior Warrior Program. To this end, Estonia hopes to improve training and force protection in support of ISAF and export expertise in cyber defense, explosive ordnance disposal, and E-governance to other NATO/EU nations. Additionally, Estonia seeks opportunities to increase their support of international operations, co-deployments with MD and enhanced regional M2M/Security Cooperation efforts.[3]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "2012 SPP Events" (PDF). U.S. European Command. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
- ^ "National Guard SPP". The National Guard. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
- ^ a b "SPP Data" (PDF). U.S. European Command. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
External links[edit]
