2009 Country Reports on Terrorism - Estonia
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Publication Date | 5 August 2010 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, 2009 Country Reports on Terrorism - Estonia, 5 August 2010, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4c63b64728.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Estonia actively enforced all EU laws regarding counterterrorism and cooperated fully with the United States in law enforcement matters. Estonian passports issued since May 2007, including "gray" passports issued to stateless residents of Estonia, have the latest in biometric security features, including an embedded computer chip containing biometric information.
Participation in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation in Afghanistan was Estonia's highest priority international mission. Estonia contributed an additional motorized infantry company in 2009, for a total of two companies plus staff officers and support elements, which equaled more than 280 soldiers. One unit formed part of a U.K.-led provincial reconstruction team in Helmand Province, and the additional company, also in Helmand, operated side-by-side with U.S. Marines providing election security. Although the second company was withdrawn, Estonia still had approximately 155 troops in Afghanistan at the end of 2009. Estonia participated in the European Police Mission to Afghanistan with two police officers and a political advisor. It was projected to give a total of 1.3 million Euros in assistance for the period 2009-2011, which includes funding for the fight against narcotics; the Afghanistan Population and Housing Census project; and for human capital and infrastructure development of Helmand province's health care network, such as training of nurses, mid-wives, and other health professionals. While no longer participating in combat operations in Iraq, Estonia continued to support the NATO Training Mission in Iraq with a staff officer.
On March 11, Estonia amended the Penal Code to criminalize the financing and support of acts of terrorism or actions leading to the perpetration of an act of terrorism, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment or the liquidation of any entity used in such efforts. The MLTFPA also harmonized Estonian law with EU standards and brought Estonia's money laundering regime into total compliance with Financial Action Task Force recommendations.
On October 12, the Government of Estonia began operating U.S. Department of Energy-funded radiation monitors at Luhamaa, on its southeastern border with Russia. The Estonian Border Guard was in the process of constructing helicopter landing pads at entry control points at Narva, in the east, and Varska, in the southeast, with U.S. Department of Defense Counternarcotics and Terrorism funds.
