Before the departure, the diplomats have gathered at the Ministry of Defence where they were briefed on the current tense security situation in and around Ukraine from an Estonian perspective by Mr Kristjan Mäe, Director of NATO and EU Department at the Ministry of Defence.

After the arrival at Tapa, diplomats have received another briefing by Colonel Andrus Merilo, commander of the EDF 1st Infantry Brigade. In his exposé, he explained the system of organising the Estonian Defence Forces, including the chain of command, role of the individual components of EDF,  conscription, reserve units and their activation etc. Another part of the briefing explained the nature of threats to Estonia and ways in which the EDF, together with NATO allies, are preparing to counter them.

The participants of the visit were also briefed on the organisation of the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup, which forms part of the aforesaid Brigade and represents an allied contribution to enhanced security of Estonia and more generally of the whole eastern flank of the Alliance. At the moment, the battlegroup is commanded by British troops and includes also French and Danish soldiers.

After the briefing, ambassadors and defence attachés had a lunch at the base together with soldiers posted there. Lunch was followed by an inspection of military equipment used by the Brigade, including combat vehicles and artillery – from literally up close.