Shaheen Departs for Transatlantic Discussions in Brussels and Security Briefings in Estonia

 **Shaheen will participate in an annual conference of North American and European political and intellectual leaders to discuss common challenges**

**Immediately following, Shaheen will travel to Estonia for briefings on coordinated cyber security efforts and countering Russia’s ongoing aggression in the region**

Washington, DC—In her role as the lead Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), will depart this afternoon for the Brussels Forum, an annual conference of North American and European leaders and influencers that aims to deepen transatlantic cooperation to confront common challenges. Participants include heads of state, senior officials from the European Union and member states, U.S. Cabinet officials, Members of Congress, Members of Parliament, academics, and the media. Following her participation in the Brussels Forum, Senator Shaheen will travel to Estonia for briefings with U.S., NATO and Estonian officials on coordinated cyber security efforts and improving the alliance’s defenses against Russia’s continued aggression.

On the opening day of the Brussels Forum, Senator Shaheen will participate in a public discussion on global security challenges with Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO, and Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Topics likely will include the terrorist threat posed by ISIS, the Syrian civil war, the ongoing migration crisis, and Russia’s continued aggression, among others. The discussion will be moderated by Kim Dozier, a contributor to CNN and the Daily Beast. That discussion begins tomorrow at approximately 11:30am EST and can be watched live here.

While in Estonia, Senator Shaheen’s schedule will include meetings with the Estonian Information Systems Authority, a global pioneer in government and improving the nation’s cybersecurity defenses. She will also visit the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center whose mission is to enhance the capabilities of NATO members and their partners in cyber defense through education, research and development.  She’ll also meet with Estonian Minister of Defense Hannes Hanso and the leadership of the country’s public broadcasting network, which is successfully countering Russian propaganda on Estonian airwaves.

Senator Shaheen will return to the United States on Tuesday, the 22nd.