Excellencies,
officers and guests!

Estonia has her own land and her own air space.

Today, I am glad to open the Estonian Air Surveillance Centre. This name means Estonia's right and the obligation to guard our air space, in other words, to guard Estonia. We are glad to guard our air space with our neighbours - Latvia and Lithuania. The sovereignty of Estonian air space is part of the sovereignty of the air space of the Baltic region and entire Europe.

With Latvia and Lithuania, we have today created an air surveillance network covering the entire Baltic region. This network has a central role in our defence and security. The network is already in operation, exchanging information between the three countries.

Today here at Ämari, we prove that the co-operation between the three countries of this region is remarkably efficient. Together, we have accomplished a lot more than we would have, had we struggled for our goals alone. Here, I would like to mention also the joint peace support training of the armies of the three Baltic States and our Western partners currently taking place in Latvia.

The Baltic States restored their independence without functioning defence structures. Today here at Ämari, I would like to thank our good friends, who have guided us, and dedicated their time and patience to help us three to build up modern national defence. I would like to thank the Norwegian Royal Air Force, whose support and guidance have helped us to create the Baltic Air Surveillance Network. I would like to thank the United States of America for their assistance to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. I would also like to thank the Kingdom of Denmark, and more than a dozen states who supported the establishment and launching of the BALTNET.

This important event is not the end of a process, it is a beginning. Air surveillance is just the first step towards the defence of our air space. To take the next steps, we need to continue co-operation with our partners.

And for this, Estonian Air Force, I wish you strength in developing further the national defence!

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