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According to Raag the initiative came from the local youth, who had learned that Raag had been part of the teaching staff at university. Consequently Raag spoke to the youth about their responsibilities and appraisals as well as the ending the cycle of violence and chain of revenge.

“This is part of my assignment here. We are here to promote reconciliation and the peace process and this process has military and non-military components. Among other things the locals have expressed the desire to participate in various educational projects,” Lieutenant Raag said.

Raag added that the participants asked many questions, mainly about the removal of weapons, repairing the communication and promoting mutual understanding between the Christian and Muslim communities.

Estonian Defence Forces have been serving in the Central African Republic since the beginning of May and conduct security and support operations to free up the African Union peace keeping mission and assist in the immediate operations of the French units. The EU operation is scheduled to last until the end of this year with Estonian contingent returning in August. France, Estonia, Spain, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, Finland, Romania, Poland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, United Kingdom and Georgia participate the mission.

Ilmar Raag is an Estonian film maker, media executive, screenwriter, best known for his socio-critical film The Class. He has served as a CEO of Estonian Television from 2002 to 2005. He is well known columnist in many prestigious Estonian newspapers Postimees, Eesti Päevaleht. Raag's film shot in France, “Une Estonienne a Paris” features Jeanne Moreau and Laine Mägi in leading roles. His most recent film “Kertu” was released in 2013.

SNMCMG1, scheduled to start mine countermeasures operation in Estonian territorial waters next week, currently consists of four vessels. In addition to Estonia´s mine hunter Admiral Cowan, Germany´s staff and support ship Elbe, Lithuanian mine hunter Kursis and Danish frigate Thetis are in the fleet.

“Our mine hunters and support vessels have participated in NATO Response Force for nearly ten years now. The Alliance´s mine countermeasure capability plays a vital role in crisis situations as the mine hunters have to keep the shipping lanes open to allow Allied support to arrive in Estonia,” Schvede added.

According to Schvede it is in Estonia´s direct interest to contribute to the fleet and the country will maintain its contribution to the force as ratified last year in the Defence Development Plan 2013-2022.

“Due to the current security situation in Europe, we were prepared to contribute earlier than the pre-planned rotational period had foreseen this year. It´s crucial that we understand that as part of collective defence we stand ready to contribute to NATO´s operations when the circumstances demand so,” Captain (Navy) Schvede added.

The mine countermeasures operation lasting till July 29 in Gulf of Finland clears ordnance from the past two World Wars as well as provides NATO with better situational awareness in the Baltic Sea. SNMCMG1 is one of two NATO Response Force mine countermeasures units with ships participating in the unit on rotational basis. The operation starting next week is the first mine countermeasures operation of this scale in Estonian territorial waters this year.

The Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, General Patrick de Rousiers, French Army greeted the EU forces in the Central African Republic, thanked the troops for their contribution and acknowledged the soldiers for their dedication and enthusiasm.

Commander of the European Union French contingent, Major General Philippe Pontiès, French Army and the commander of the on-site EUFOR Central African Republic contingent, Brigadier General Thierry Lion, French Army also attended the ceremony.

Estonian Defence Forces have been serving in the Central African Republic since the beginning of May conducting security and support operations to free up the African Union peace keeping mission and assist in the immediate operations of the French units. The Estonian Defence Forces´ infantry mission in the Central African Republic continues until the end of August.

The EU operation is scheduled to last until the end of this year. France, Estonia, Spain, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, Finland, Romania, Poland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, United Kingdom and Georgia participate the operation.

F-16 fighters from Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, UK Eurofighter Typhoons, Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripens as well as Polish fighter MiG-29 are scheduled for fly past.

The Polish flight group Orlik will be giving an air aerobatic show with seven PZL-130s. Flights from Estonian L-410, L-39, An-2 planes as well as R-44 and AW-139 helicopters, a Latvian Mi-17 helicopter and a Lithuanian L-39 jet are also scheduled.

Over 15 aircraft are on display at Ämari Air Force Base incl. Polish Air Force MiG-29, Latvian Mi-17, Finnish F-18, Polish C-295 cargo aircraft, C-130 from the Netherlands, F-16’s from Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands, Polish PZL-130 and Lithuanian L-39 training jets.

Ämari Air Force Base is open for visitors from 10:00-17:00. The air show flights will begin at 11:50 and will last till approx. 16:00. The entrance is off the Padise-Paldiski highway. As you approach the Keila-Haapsalu highway, turn toward Paldiski at the Kaspere intersection. After entering the base, follow the traffic signs. Limited amount of parking slots is available for visitors. Pictured ID is required for entrance.

The event is sponsored by BIGBANK.

For journalists

If you wish to cover the event, please send your name and ID number NLT Friday, July 18 to .

All registered journalists are asked to arrive at the main gate 10:30, July 20. Additional info: Public Affairs Specialist Alar Laats, phone +37256215885

Terras highlighted the special relationship between the UK and Estonia based on shared historical events and stressed the need for continued co-operation to maintain the achievements. “The countries that have fought together in Afghanistan set conditions to create a force with better joint intelligence gathering as well as ensure the participation of the United Kingdom in securing our national sovereignty, while creating good basis for continued co-operation,” Terras said. Terras also thanked General Peach for United Kingdom joining the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn.

During the panel discussion Commander of Estonian Defence Forces stressed the mutual understanding and a cultural connection achieved with fighting shoulder to shoulder in Afghanistan and explained the participants what it means for a small nation like Estonia to belong to an alliance with shared experiences from Afghanistan and Iraq.

“We have participated in many operations with our allies and have always been involved in the decision making process. There have always been different understandings on how we should act and how the whole process should work. This comes from our different cultural background and historical past,” Terras said, acknowledging that the alliance is currently in a unique situation, where operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have brought allies very close again. “We must hold on to our joint perception and cognition. We need to continue our intensive co-operation, training and exercises, so that we do not lose those values and mutual understanding what we have accomplished in ten years.”

Major General Riho Terras was accompanied on the panel discussion by the Commander of NATO Land Command, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges and Commander Army Operational Command, Royal Danish Army, Major General Per Ludvigsen.

The Land Warfare Conference, held annually on behalf of the UK Chief of the General Staff, brings together representatives from across the armed forces, government, academia and industry, as well as international allies and partners, with the aim of promoting professional debate.

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is an independent think tank engaged in defence and security research. Founded in 1831 by the Duke of Wellington, RUSI embodies nearly two centuries of forward thinking, free discussion and reflection on defence and security matters.

In addition to mine countermeasures operations, the vessels taking part in the exercise that started last week, conduct training in anti-submarine, anti-piracy and anti-aircraft warfare as well as other elements of maritime warfare.

The crews also have to be prepared to respond in the case of imitated attacks that can be conducted with the help of the assets involved in the exercise from the air, the sea and under the surface of the sea.

The mine countermeasures portion of the exercise in the area of Bornholm, Danish territorial waters will continue until June 18. During the exercise the SNMCMG 1 comprises nine vessels from Belgium, Estonia, Netherlands, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, Poland and Germany.

Baltops, which brings together 13 nations this year, is held for the 42nd time. In addition to NATO Allies, Partner Nations Finland, Sweden and Georgia are taking part in the exercise. The vessels involved in the exercise include USS Mount Whitney, flagship of the Mediterranean of the U.S. 6^th Fleet, Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Oscar Austin and Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose.

Ämari Air Force Base in Estonia provides support for P-3 Orion and a P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft of the U.S. navy during the exercise.

This year Saber Strike will integrate exercise Baltic Host aimed training cooperation with the Baltic nations´ civil authorities in providing Host Nation Support while receiving Allied assistance. The two exercises will run in parallel in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Saber Strike portion of the exercise will train approximately 4 700 participants from 10 NATO and Partner nations - Canada, Denmark, Estonia, the United States, the UK, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Finland. Several participants of the exercise training audience will train in Estonia, around 2 000 in Latvia and approximately 2 600 in Lithuania.

“The Estonian Scouts Battalion; the core unit of the Baltic Battalion, activated for NATO Response Force readiness in 2016; will receive a valuable experience from Saber Strike,” Commander of the 1^st Infantry Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Aron Kalmus with the command over Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian companies at Saber Strike, said.

Close to 400 members of the Scouts Battalion will train co-operation with land forces units at Ādaži training area. The 1^st Infantry Brigade staff will train staff procedures with Allied headquarters in Tartu.

Saber Strike also features the integration of U.S. close air support with ground forces and a demonstration of air deployment of forces and equipment. The United States Minnesota National Guard F-16 fighter jets arrived at Ämari Air Force Base last week and will conduct combat flights from there. The Strato Tanker KC-135, as well as the Navy aircraft P-8 and P-3 will support the exercise from Ämari.

A coordination team from NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum will enhance NATO’s ability to work together with other NATO Allies and key regional Partners. The element is intended to support training and exercise events within the command’s area of responsibility.

Saber Strike includes brigade-level command post exercise and computer assisted exercise throughout the Baltic states and company level tactical field exercise and situational training exercise in Latvia, Ādaži training area and Lithuania, Gaižiūnų training range.

Exercise Saber Strike is an annual multinational exercise organized by the U. S. Army in Europe (USAREUR) and hosted by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

This year’s exercise objectives facilitate cooperation amongst participating nations to improve joint operational capability in a range of missions as well as preparing the participating nations and units to support multinational contingency operations.

The exercise trains participants on command and control as well as interoperability with regional Partners. All activities will feature joint, multinational training among the participating nations.

Breedlove, in Estonia for North-Eastern Europe Chiefs of Defence meeting, said the current assurance measures were sufficient and the Alliance was prepared to take further steps should the need arise. Breedlove also noted that NATO was working on increasing its presence in the Baltic countries and Poland and the decisions on the permanent presence of Allied forces will be made during the NATO Summit in Wales, September this year.

According to Commander of Estonian Defence Forces, Major General Riho Terras, the North-Eastern Chiefs of Defence share the same understanding on the events in Ukraine.”We have a common understanding of the annexation of the Ukraine territory as well as on the current threats in Europe and the need to bring the defence plans to the line of the new threat assessment,” Terras added.

North-Eastern Europe Chiefs of Defence were in Tallinn to discuss the changed security situation in Europe due to the events in Ukraine, possible threats and actions as well as co-operation between Allies and Partner nations. Issues on the post-Afghanistan security environment were also at the table.

In addition to representatives of nine North-Eastern European countries, Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Philip Breedlove also took part.

For the first time North-Eastern Europe Chiefs of Defence met in Tallinn, last year the defence leaders met within the similar format in Helsinki, Finland. Previous meetings have been organized by NATO or the European Union in reference to security co-operation. In addition to the member nations, the Partner nations Finland and Sweden also take part.

Britain and its Nato allies must relearn how to fight conventional wars to see off the threat posed by Russia, the head of Estonia’s armed forces said yesterday.

Major-General Riho Terras said that a major military exercise in his country was testing skills in international conflict that had grown rusty in many member states after more than a decade of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Similar exercises, involving tanks, artillery, air defence systems, warplanes and thousands of troops, should continue to take place to send a clear signal to President Putin that Nato remained strong and would defend all allies from any attack, the Estonian commander said.

General Terras said that he planned to ask the alliance to reconsider its ties with Russia, noting that it was all but impossible to resume co-operation and partnership with Moscow while Crimea remained annexed and with eastern Ukraine in crisis.

“The exercises are important,” General Terras said, speaking at his office at the Estonian defence forces headquarters in Tallinn, a grand building that was once used as a military hospital when Estonia was part of the then Soviet Union.

“Afghanistan was a counter-insurgency operation, so many of the nations lost their ability to plan and conduct conventional warfare because the focus was too much on combating terrorism and insurgents,” he said. “I think we should go back to our roots and start to do the military business as we have been taught for years.”

Putting the words into action, two RAF jets were scrambled on Tuesday to intercept a Russian spy plane that was flying in international airspace close to Estonia, officers in the country’s air force revealed yesterday.

The Typhoons were part of a four-jet squadron sent to an airbase in nearby Lithuania to boost a Nato air policing role over the Baltic states since the Ukraine unrest.

They caught up with the Russian Ilyushin IL-20 Coot in midair and took photographs before returning to the Siauliai airbase.

The British jets are also taking part in Exercise Steadfast Javelin, a Nato training mission that has been going on in Estonia for six days, involving 6,000 troops from nine countries, including Britain.

General Terras said that support for the exercise — which formed part of an annual Estonian training operation — and Nato’s enhanced role in policing Baltic airspace, was reassuring for Estonia, which only regained its independence from Soviet rule in 1991.

Estonia still has a large Russian minority that comprises more than a quarter of its population of 1.3 million. Such an ethnic mix made the events in Ukraine particularly troubling for Tallinn, though there has been no sign of any internal problems yet.

“We have not had alarms, no,” General Terras said. “We talk to our allies and explain to them that the world has changed and they now are starting to believe us slowly.”

He said that his country was confident that the alliance would uphold its pledge, enshrined in Article 5 of the Nato treaty, to protect any member state from attack. “The question is whether Putin believes that Article 5 works. We should not give any option of miscalculation for President Putin.”

General Terras called on Nato to reconsider the way it viewed Russia – a message that he planned to convey at a two-day meeting of defence chiefs in Brussels that ends today.

“If Russia sees Nato as a threat, Nato should not see Russia as a friendly co-operation country. That’s very clear. The threat assessment of Nato needs to fit the current realistic circumstances.”

Despite its size, Estonia holds particular sway within the alliance because of a willingness in the past to send troops to fight alongside British and American forces in Afghanistan in Iraq.

The worst outcome of the current confrontation would be if Mr Putin was allowed to retain the status quo without any consequences, General Terras said.

“As long as Crimea is occupied – that is a violation of all democratic rules that we can imagine.”

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“NATO’s decision shows the credibility Kevadtorm has achieved over the years as well as displays strong support of Allies to Estonia and to the whole region,” Commander of Estonian Defence Forces, Major General Riho Terras said. “Up to now we have been organizing a large-scale Estonian Defence Forces exercise, the NATO involvement gives our development a strong boost as well as allows Kevadtorm to become one of the most important exercises in the Baltic Sea region,” he added.

STEADFAST JAVELIN 1 will be conducted in the spirit of NATO’s Connected Forces Initiative, using advanced technology to develop interoperability and operational preparedness and to maintain NATO’s readiness and combat effectiveness. A liaison team and participants from Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum arrived in Estonia on 14 May to liaise with their Estonian counterparts and ensure a smooth transition.

General Domröse will conduct the exercising and training of approximately 6,000 personnel during STEADFAST JAVELIN 1. Successful completion of STEADFAST JAVELIN1 will confirm that Alliance forces are closely aligned and capable of providing collective defence and the delivery of effective security and stability in accordance with NATO’s stated aims.

The North Atlantic Council on 16 April 2014 agreed on a package of extra military measures to reinforce the Alliance’s collective defence in wake of the crisis in Ukraine. These measures include enhanced exercises, updated defence plans and appropriate deployments.