Estonian gov't approves complementary defense cooperation agreement with U.S.

The Estonian government approved on Thursday a defense cooperation agreement that will regulate the legal status of members of the U.S. Army stationed in the Baltic country.

The agreement would complement the already existing Status of Forces Agreement between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization member states (NATO SOFA), said the Estonian government spokesperson.

It would reduce the red tape related to the stay of members of the U.S. armed forces and their contractors in Estonia, and make certain advantages available to them based on common strategic interest and principles, as well as replace the agreement on the use of land plots and structures of the Estonian Defence Forces that was concluded in 2015.

The agreement will also regulate the application of Estonian penal law to members of the U.S. armed forces as well as their dependents.

Estonian Defence Minister Margus Tsahkna, who was authorized to sign the agreement with the U.S. ambassador to Estonia, said that the bilateral agreement was necessary as the two countries' defense cooperation was going to last in the longer term.

"The defense cooperation agreement between Estonia and the United States supports the presence of U.S. units in Estonia and strengthens our security," said Tsahkna.

He also termed the agreement, which has to be ratified by the Estonian parliament, as a material step towards deepening cooperation between Estonia and its strategic partner with the United States.

Estonia has previously signed a similar agreement with Germany, while the United States has signed similar agreements with Germany, the Netherlands and Poland among others. Enditem