U.S. Embassy in Tallinn, November 12, 2010
The Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association and the Estonian Foreign Ministry hosted a conference on "Women, Peace, and Security - the Afghan View" in Tallinn, November 11-12. U.S. Ambassador Michael C. Polt and members of the Mission team participated in the event, voicing the great importance the U.S. attaches to this initiative. Secretary of State Clinton has described including women in peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peace building as a necessary global security imperative.

Full and equal participation by women in societies advances our national security interests, promotes political stability, economic growth, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. When it comes to matters of life and death, we cannot afford to ignore, marginalize, and dismiss the very direct contributions that women make. The U.S. and Estonia share this common commitment, including in Afghanistan, where support for and inclusion of women at all levels forms a core component of our assistance and is fully integrated in our policies.

Estonia's hosting of this timely conference provides an important opportunity for high-level discussion between policy makers, international organizations, government experts, and civil society on achievements in this field in Afghanistan, as well as continued challenges. This is yet another example of the many areas in which our two countries work together on our common security objectives, in support of our shared democratic values.

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