TALLINN, Estonia - The chief commander of the NATO armed forces in Europe, General Philip Breedlove, has called for the swift creation of a rapid deployment military formation (unit) as part of the alliance's rapid reaction force.
He made this statement at his meeting with Estonian Defense Minister Sven Mikser in Tallinn on Nov. 19, an Estonian Defense Ministry spokesperson told Interfax.
The U.S. general said that apart from increasing NATO’s military presence in the eastern wing, the alliance’s priority, according to the decision made at the summit in Wales, is to create a rapid deployment unit as part the rapid reaction force.
He thanked Estonia for its contribution in NATO’s response measures.
For his part, Mikser said: “it is important for Estonia that the decisions made at the Wales summit under the NATO readiness program or on measures to reinforce the eastern wing be implemented as quickly as possible.”
He said that with the current changes in the security situation in Europe NATO’s reaction should instill confidence and be followed up with real military measures.
