Today, President of the Republic had a meeting with the Minister of Defence Jüri Luik, the Acting Commander of the Defence Forces Märt Tiru, and Colonel-Lieutenant Aarne Ermus.

Yesterday, Aarne Ermus had submitted his application for resignation from the post of the Acting Commander of the General Staff of the Defence Forces.

Today, after having consulted the Minister of Defence Jüri Luik, the Acting Commander of the Defence Forces Märt Tiru made a proposal to the President of the Republic to appoint Aarne Ermus to the post of the Commander of the General Staff of the Defence Forces.

Aarne Ermus expressed his readiness to assume the post.

On the meeting, the proposal of Colonel Märt Tiru, as well as the strategic tasks of the national defence were discussed.

Aarne Ermus presented on the meeting his vision of the trends and needs of development of the General Staff. The Minister of Defence Jüri Luik stressed this year's crucial role in preparing the accession to NATO.

According to the Estonian Constitution, the Commander of the General Staff of the Defence Forces is appointed by the President of the Republic on the joint proposal of the Commander of the Defence Forces and the Government of the Republic. As the Minister of Defence said, he would make the proposal for the appointment of Aarne Ermus to the Government of the Republic in the nearest future.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, January 4, 2000

back | archive of press releases | main page