Estonia 'best partner' to Türkiye in Nordics, Baltics: PM

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said on Tuesday that his country is probably the best partner to Türkiye in the Nordic and Baltic region, citing deepening defense industry ties and Ankara's support for Baltic security during the 36th NATO summit in the Turkish capital.

NATO Unity and Historical Context

Speaking to Anadolu during the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, Michal emphasized the gathering's importance for demonstrating allied solidarity and thanked Türkiye for its contributions to Baltic air security. "The Ankara summit is with utmost importance, because the message is that allies keep together," he said. He recalled that Estonia joined the alliance in 2004 and attended its first summit in Türkiye that same year, noting that this year's meeting holds particular historical significance for Tallinn.

Defense Industry Cooperation

Estonia has emerged as a reference market for Turkish armored vehicles, with its military operating platforms from Nurol Makina and ARCA Defense across multiple roles. "We are probably, given to our size, the best partner in the Nordics or the Baltics to Türkiye," Michal said, adding that the Estonian armed forces are highly satisfied with the vehicles' performance. ARCA Defense will also manufacture 155mm artillery ammunition at Estonia's defense industry park, expanding bilateral military production capabilities.

Message to Adversaries

Michal identified increased defense investment, sustained support for Ukraine, and industrial cooperation as key summit priorities. He said he hoped the Ankara summit would be remembered as a moment when NATO allies showed they are "united" and "strong," sending a clear message to adversaries including Russia that standing up against the alliance would be a mistake. The summit convened as member states face mounting pressure to bolster deterrence along NATO's eastern borders.