Estonia hosts defense cooperation summit in Tallinn

ISTANBUL

Leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a UK-led defense coalition, are meeting in Estonia's capital, Tallinn, on Monday for a two-day summit focused on bolstering regional security and enhancing support for Ukraine.

The meeting, hosted by Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, marks the 10th anniversary of the JEF, according to a statement from the Estonian government.

Participants include the presidents of Lithuania and Finland, the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Latvia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and the UK, as well as Iceland's foreign minister.

Key topics on the agenda include increasing defense budgets, protecting critical maritime infrastructure, and strengthening rapid-response capabilities in the Baltic Sea region and beyond.

Michal emphasized the significance of military cooperation among like-minded nations, according to the statement.

"The JEF plays a vital role in the deterrence and defence posture of the Baltic Sea region. Recent years have shown how important it is to protect critical maritime infrastructure. We must continuously train with our allies to maintain the ability of our forces to react quickly and decisively," he said.

The summit offers an opportunity to evaluate the JEF's achievements since its establishment in 2014 as a flexible, rapid-response force capable of addressing crises before NATO’s Article 5 is invoked. Its operational focus spans the Baltic Sea, Northern Europe, and the Arctic.

JEF member states include Estonia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland.

Last year’s JEF Leaders’ Summit was held in Sweden, following a similar meeting in Latvia in 2022.

As the summit progresses, leaders are expected to set future objectives for the coalition, highlighting unity and readiness to confront emerging security threats.