Thursday, September 17, 2009

Remarks With Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet 09.17.09

Remarks by Secretary Clinton and Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet before their meeting.



SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I’m delighted to welcome Estonia’s foreign minister here. And on behalf of the Obama Administration and our country, we value our relationship with Estonia. We are allies in NATO. And I want to publicly thank Estonia for your contributions and assistance in Afghanistan, for the sacrifice and service of your troops, and for the solidarity you have demonstrated within NATO and on a bilateral basis.

FOREIGN MINISTER PAET: Thank you very much. And from Estonia’s side, I may say that United States is, for us, very big friend and partner in NATO, but also bilaterally, I’m also glad to make excellent cooperation in Afghanistan. I hope that in foreseeable future, we also can witness great changes and improvements in Afghanistan, and also in the NATO framework. We see at the moment one of the most important issues is to prepare new NATO strategic concept, which also allows work to the most important security issues for all NATO allies.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. Welcome again.

FOREIGN MINISTER PAET: Thank you.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you all very much.