A formal ceremony was held on Tuesday in the twin city of Valga–Valka, where the 1st German–Dutch Corps (1GNC) officially took over the tactical command of the Estonian and Latvian land forces from NATO’s Multinational Corps Northeast.
On Valga’s central square, units of the Estonian Defense Forces division and representatives of NATO’s Northern Division stood in formation, along with the color guards of both corps and both divisions.
The ceremony was attended by Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis, Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yesilgöz‑Zegerius, and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Guests included Estonian Defense Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Andrus Merilo, Latvian Defense Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Kaspars Pudāns, Dutch Defense Forces Commander Gen. Onno Eichelsheim, and German Defense Forces Commander Gen. Carsten Breuer.
The ceremony was opened by Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of Allied Land Command. Speeches were delivered by Lt. Gen. Dariusz Parylak, commander of Multinational Corps Northeast, and Lt. Gen. Peter Mirow, commander of the 1st German–Dutch Corps. NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum commander Gen. Ingo Gerhartz and the chiefs of the German and Dutch armies also attended.
“Anyone who wants to defend Estonia and Latvia must be able to command forces on the ground — and that is exactly what we are doing. Estonia and Latvia can rely on the alliance,” said Lt. Gen. Peter Mirow, commander of the 1st German–Dutch Corps.
Read more: ERR.EE
