OREANDA-NEWS. November 28, 2013. The Defense Ministry says Estonia will play a prominent part in one of several high-tech programs approved by the EU's defense ministers this week.

Estonia will develop, lead and at least partially host a project to develop member states' capabilities to respond to cyber attacks.

The project, to be implemented as part of the EU's common security and defense policy, was approved by the steering board of the European Defense Agency on Tuesday.

Cyber defense training will be administered and joint exercises held, using a cybernetics lab based at the Estonian Defense Forces, the Defense Ministry said today in a statement.

“Estonia has unique experience and knowledge in the area of cyber defense and our desire is to aid progress in the field throughout the European Union,” said Minister of Defense Urmas Reinsalu. “We offered member states our lead role and I am glad that the cyber defense project received approval from the defense ministers.”