The evolving security landscape in Europe underscores the importance of robust bilateral defence partnerships within the broader EU and NATO frameworks. Against the backdrop of Russia’s continued aggression and the imperative of strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy, the defence relationship between Estonia and France has gained renewed relevance. This guestlecture will examine how France, as a leading advocate of European defence integration, and Estonia, positioned at the frontline of NATO’s eastern flank, are intensifying cooperation in capability development, operational deployments, and EU defence initiatives. Their growing alignment illustrates how national efforts can reinforce collective resilience, making the Estonian-French partnership a critical element in advancing Europe’s security architecture.
Marianne Paire has been a visiting fellow at the ICDS since October 2024. Before her current position, she worked at the Directorate General for International Relations and Strategy of the French Ministry for Armed Forces. There, she was involved on the strengthening of European defence and on enhancing the bilateral relations between France and the Nordic-Baltic countries. Previously, she worked at the Joint Staff.
Marianne Paire has been a visiting fellow at the ICDS since October 2024. Before her current position, she worked at the Directorate General for International Relations and Strategy of the French Ministry for Armed Forces. There, she was involved on the strengthening of European defence and on enhancing the bilateral relations between France and the Nordic-Baltic countries. Previously, she worked at the Joint Staff.