The commander of Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Brunssum, Gen. Wolf Langheld, visited Tallinn on Wednesday, March 16, to discuss the defence plan of Estonia with the leaders of Estonia's national defence.

NATO has created, developed and adapted action plans for the Estonian region, therefore it is necessary to meet with the national leaders of defence to acquire a better sense of how one should move forward with the plans and develop them further, Langheld said. "Estonia is a full-fledged NATO member just like other members, and it means being under the alliance's protection and being part of our defence system," he was quoted by Estonian military spokespeople as saying.

The general visited the Estonian General Staff, where he met with the commander of the Estonian Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots and received an overview of long-term planning of the Defence Forces and ongoing operations. At noon he met with Estonia's Defence Minister Jaak Aaviksoo to discuss the new strategic concept of NATO. Finally the commander of JFC Brunssum paid a visit to the Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn.

JFC Brunssum is one of three joint operational headquarters in NATO. Its primary operation is leading the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission. Last year saw JFC Brunssum assume the duty of the NATO Response Force. The command is also responsible for the Baltic air policing mission and collective defence.

This was the first visit by Gen. Langheld to Estonia in his present capacity. In addition to Estonia the general visited Lithuania and Poland.

(ER)

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