OREANDA-NEWS. On April 20, 2009 Prime Minister Andrus Ansip took the floor at the Higher National Defence Course, held for the 19th time, where he declared that regardless of the reduction of defence expenditures, the goal of the government to raise defense expenditures to two per cent of our gross domestic product is still in effect, reported the Official website valitsus.ee.

According to the Prime Minister, he does not approve of additional reductions to defence expenditures. “In these difficult times, the country needs protection just as much as in the good times,” said Ansip, and stressed the importance of preserving and ensuring the reliability of Estonia on the international arena.

According to Ansip, we must perform all international duties we have assumed, even during the hard times, which means continued participation in international military missions as well. When talking about the Afghanistan mission, Ansip declared that Estonia is ready to increase its contribution there.