Estonia's Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur Resigns
At a glance
- Estonia's Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur resigned on September 4 over a controversial artillery shells deal for Ukraine.
- Estonia made advance payments of about 70 million euros to companies with no prior experience in artillery shell manufacturing.
- The deal involves interests linked to an Indian company and is currently under legal dispute in Estonia and the European Arbitration Court.
- Hanno Pevkur stated that while he did not handle contract details, he takes political responsibility for the defence sector.
- A report by the National Audit Office criticized Estonia's defence procurement process and expenditure.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
- Why did Hanno Pevkur resign as Estonia's Defence Minister?
- He resigned due to political responsibility for a controversial advance payment deal for artillery shells for Ukraine.
- What was controversial about the artillery shells deal?
- Estonia made large advance payments to companies without prior experience in artillery shell manufacturing.
- Are there legal proceedings regarding the deal?
- Yes, the contract cancellation and payment recovery are under consideration in domestic courts and the European Arbitration Court.
- Did Hanno Pevkur personally negotiate the artillery shells contract?
- No, he clarified that ministers do not negotiate contracts or count ammunition personally.
- What criticism did Estonia face over this defence deal?
- The National Audit Office criticized defence expenditure and procurement processes, questioning political responsibility and oversight.
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Estonia's Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur resigned from his post on September 4. This step was taken following a controversial deal to purchase artillery shells for Ukraine.
Controversy and Allegations Regarding the Deal
Estonia made advance payments of about 70 million euros (approximately 781 crore rupees) to companies that previously had no record of manufacturing or selling artillery shells, to purchase large-caliber artillery shells for Ukraine. Interests linked to an Indian company are also being reported in this deal.
Estonia has attempted to cancel the contract and recover the advance payment. The matter is under consideration in domestic courts and the European Arbitration Court in Strasbourg.
The company claims it delivered a large quantity of material and suffered losses due to the sudden termination of the contract. The dispute is ongoing at the court and arbitration levels.
Minister's Resignation and Political Responsibility
Announcing his resignation, Hanno Pevkur said ministers do not count weapons and ammunition, nor do they personally negotiate contracts. He clarified that the defence minister's job is not to read every line of contracts or count ammunition, yet political accountability in this matter falls on him.
His resignation comes with the belief that Estonia has made the right decisions to strengthen its national defence.
A report by the National Audit Office criticized the country's defence expenditure, military investments, and procurement process, raising questions of political responsibility. The opposition and media questioned how such a large advance was approved for a company without experience and where the oversight mechanism failed.
Even if I did not have a direct role in the details of the deal, I must accept political responsibility for the defence sector
Hanno Pevkur, Estonia's Defence Minister
Brussels is in contact with Estonian officials
Christian Wigand, Spokesperson
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