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American Forces Press Service|1/7/2014 8:06:31 AM

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel praised Estonia's commitment in Afghanistan in a Pentagon meeting today with Estonian Defense Minister Urmas Reinsalu.

Members of the U.S., Latvian, Canadian, and Estonian Armies await the start of the Saber Strike opening ceremonies on Camp Adazi, Latvia, on June 10, 2012. Saber Strike 2012 is a U.S. Army Europe led theater security cooperation exercise conducted in the Baltic States. One of the major goals of the exercise is to improve NATO interoperability and strengthens the relationship between military forces of the U.S., Baltic nations and other participating nations.

1 photo: Members of the U.S., Latvian, Canadian, and Estonian Armies await the start of the Saber Strike opening ceremonies

Photo 1 of 1: Members of the U.S., Latvian, Canadian, and Estonian Armies await the start of the Saber Strike opening ceremonies on Camp Adazi, Latvia, on June 10, 2012. Saber Strike 2012 is a U.S. Army Europe led theater security cooperation exercise conducted in the Baltic States. One of the major goals of the exercise is to improve NATO interoperability and strengthens the relationship between military forces of the U.S., Baltic nations and other participating nations. Download full-resolution version

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel praised Estonia's commitment in Afghanistan in a Pentagon meeting today with Estonian Defense Minister Urmas Reinsalu.

"Secretary Hagel praised Minister Reinsalu for Estonia's steadfast commitment to Afghanistan, to include its contributions to security in Helmand Province and its commitment to supporting stability in Afghanistan post-2014," Assistant Pentagon Press Secretary Carl Woog said in a statement summarizing the meeting.

The two leaders discussed their shared interest in working together with other Baltic states to support regional cooperation, interoperability with allies, cyber defense and long-term defense modernization," Woog said. "The secretary also commended Estonia for its demonstrated commitment to maintaining significant levels of efficient defense spending," he added.

Hagel also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the alliance, and pledged to continue to participate in NATO exercises, Woog said, "noting the importance of leveraging the interoperability we've achieved over the last 20 years."