Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association – NATO-EU Roundtable on the 75th Anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty”

On the 4th of April and also on the 75th anniversary of signing the North Atlantic Treaty, EATA organised the NATO-EU Roundtable at Nordic Hotel Forum in Tallinn. The event featured several notable speakers addressing the importance of NATO and EU solidarity in supporting Ukraine against Russia.

Krista Mulenok emphasized this point, while President Toomas Hendrik Ilves stressed the continued relevance of NATO’s founding principles. US Ambassador George P. Kent commended Estonia’s contributions to NATO and stressed the unity among member states. Reinhard Krumm highlighted the need for open discussions on current events’ potential outcomes. UK Ambassador Ross Allen emphasized the enduring commitment to NATO despite complexities in EU relations. Sweden’s Ambassador Ingrid Tersman discussed Sweden’s NATO cooperation and emphasized it as the beginning of a new journey. Gen (ret) Riho Terras urged increased support for Ukraine and boosted defense spending among member countries.

The panels delved into various topics, including the evolution of NATO and transatlantic relations, the need for collaboration between NATO and the EU to avoid duplicating efforts, the readiness of NATO forces and the defense industry, and Russia’s geopolitical stance. Panelists discussed Russia’s complex relationships with European states and its ties with China, pondering Russia’s simultaneous disengagement from the West and pursuit of power in Europe. Overall, the discussions underscored the importance of unity, investment in defense, and navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.