Excellencies,
Officers and soldiers,
Dear guests!

The Baltic Battalion that was initiated by the three Baltic States and with the help of many supporting countries six years ago, is a peacekeeping battalion in both its concept and structure. It is through peacekeeping in different parts of the world that the defence forces of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have obtained the valuable experience underlying the development of defence forces that is gaining momentum in all three countries. The meaning of the Baltic Battalion for the Estonian defence forces, as well as to the defence forces of Latvia and Lithuania, lies in acquiring sound and intelligent administrative experience and modern military training.

The Baltic Battalion's participation in the missions vital to the whole world, either in the Balkans or in the Middle East, have proved the unit's capability to work within multinational peacekeeping units. Through this, the military of the three Baltic States have proved their high self-discipline and capacity for adjustment, which is the pledge of success on this kind of missions.

The Baltic Battalion's positive effect on the defence forces is also manifest in the circulation of staff, which helps to share the experience acquired on missions and joint exercises with other units. As the first fruit of Baltic military relations after the restoration of our independence, the Baltic Battalion has laid the actual foundation to the deepening and expanding military co-operation between the Baltic States. Due to modern weapons and equipment, as well as the even level of the staff's training and discipline, the battalion is a valuable and trustworthy military unit.

Hereby, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the NATO countries and our good friends in Scandinavia, Finland, and Switzerland, who have made the Baltic Battalion and this exercise possible.

I greet all the participants of the ''Baltic Eagle'', and wish you the best of success!

Lennart Meri

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