The Republic of Estonia gained its independence from the Russian Empire on 24 February 1918 and established diplomatic relations with many countries via membership of the League of Nations. The forcible incorporation of Estonia into the Soviet Union in 1940 was not generally recognised by the international community and the Estonian diplomatic service continued to operate in some countries. Following the restoration of independence from the Soviet Union, Russia was one of the first nations to re-recognize Estonia's independence (the first country to do so was Iceland on 22 August 1991). Estonia's immediate priority after regaining its independence was the withdrawal of Russian (formerly Soviet) forces from Estonian territory. In August 1994, this was completed. However, relations with Moscow have remained strained primarily because Russia decided not to ratify the border treaty it had signed with Estonia in 1999.
Trends following re-independence Since regaining independence, Estonia has pursued a foreign policy of close cooperation with Western European nations. The two most important policy objectives in this regard have been accession into NATO and the European Union, achieved in March and May 2004 respectively. Estonia's international realignment toward the West has been accompanied by a general deterioration in relations with Russia, most recently demonstrated by the controversy surrounding relocation of the Bronze Soldier WWII memorial in Tallinn. Estonia has become an increasingly strong supporter of deepening European integration. The decision to participate in the preparation of a financial transaction tax in 2012 reflects this shift in Estonia's EU policy.
An important element in Estonia's post-independence reorientation has been closer ties with the Nordic countries, especially Finland and Sweden. Indeed, Estonians consider themselves a Nordic people due to being Finnic people like the Finns rather than Balts, Estonian foreign ministry publication , 2004 Estonian foreign ministry publication , 2002 based on their historical ties with Denmark and particularly Finland and Sweden. In December 1999 Estonian foreign minister (and since 2006, president of Estonia) Toomas Hendrik Ilves delivered a speech titled "Estonia as a Nordic Country" to the Swedish Institute for International Affairs. In 2003, the foreign ministry also hosted an exhibit called "Estonia: Nordic with a Twist". And in 2005, Estonia joined the European Union's Nordic Battle Group. It has also shown continued interest in becoming a full member in the Nordic Council.
Whereas in 1992 Russia accounted for 92% of Estonia's international trade, today there is extensive economic interdependence between Estonia and its Nordic neighbors: three-quarters of foreign investment in Estonia originates in the Nordic countries (principally Finland and Sweden), to which Estonia sends 42% of its exports (as compared to 6.5% going to Russia, 8.8% to Latvia, and 4.7% to Lithuania). On the other hand, the Estonian political system, its flat rate of income tax, and its non-welfare-state model distinguish it from the other Nordic states, and indeed from many other European countries. Foreign investment
Estonia is a party to 181 international organizations, including the BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (member since 1 May 2004), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, International Maritime Organization, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, NATO, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO.
International disputes Territorial issues between Estonia and Russia
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union Estonia had hoped for the return of more than 2,000 square kilometers of territory annexed to Russia after World War II in 1945. The annexed land had been within the borders Estonia approved by Russia in the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty. However, the Boris Yeltsin government disavowed any responsibility for acts committed by the Soviet Union.
After signing the border treaty by the corresponding foreign minister in 2005, it was ratified by the Estonian government and president. The Russian side interpreted the preamble as giving Estonia a possibility for future territorial claim, and Vladimir Putin notified Estonia that Russia will not consider these. Negotiations were reopened in 2012 and the Treaty was signed in February 2014. Ratification is still pending.
Diplomatic relations List of countries which Estonia maintains diplomatic relations with: #CountryDate1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829—30313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152153154155156—157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171172173174175176177178179180181182183184185186187—188189—
Bilateral relations
Multilateral Organization Formal Relations BeganNotesSee 2004 enlargement of the European Union Estonia joined the European Union as a full member on 1 May 2004.Estonia joined NATO as a full member on 29 March 2004.
Africa Country Formal Relations BeganNotes1937 Egypt first recognized Estonia in 1937 and re-recognized Estonia on 6 September 1991. Egypt is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Helsinki, Finland. Estonia has an embassy in Cairo. Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean. January 2005 – Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristiina Ojuland's visit to Egypt November 2005 – Prime Minister of Estonia Andrus Ansip in Barcelona at the Euromed Summit met with Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif. December 2007 – Prime Minister of Estonia Andrus Ansip met with Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif in the framework of the EU- African Union Summit in Lisbon. Estonian Ministry of foreign Affairs about the relation with Egypt Special Mission of the Republic of Estonia to the Arab Republic of Egypt Estonia has an embassy office in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.2012Both countries established diplomatic relations in September 2012. Estonia does not have an accreditation to Lesotho. Lesotho does not have an accreditation to Estonia. Estonia is accredited to Morocco from its embassy in Lisbon, Portugal. Morocco is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Helsinki, Finland. Estonia does not have an accredited to South Africa. South Africa is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
Americas Country Formal Relations BeganNotes Argentina is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Helsinki, Finland. Estonia does not have an accreditation to Argentina. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 May 1999. Belize does not have an accreditation to Estonia. Estonia does not have an accreditation to Belize. Bolivia is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Estonia does not have an accreditation to Bolivia. Brazil has an embassy in Tallinn. Estonia is accredited to Brazil from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tallinn.1922See Canada–Estonia relations Canada has an embassy office in Tallinn. Estonia has an embassy in Ottawa.See Chile–Estonia relations Chile first recognized Estonia on 22 September 1921. Chile re-recognised Estonia on 28 August 1991 and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 27 September 1991. An agreement on visa-free travel between Estonia and Chile came into force on 2 December 2000.Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Estonia and Chile Elektrooniline Riigi Teataja: Eesti Vabariigi valitsuse ja Tšiili Vabariigi valitsuse vaheline turistide viisakohustuse kaotamise kokkulepe The two countries also have in force a Memorandum on co-operation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs. Agreements on cultural, tourism, and IT cooperation are being readied.
Chile is among Estonia's most important foreign trade partners in South America.Estonian Cabinet of Ministers: In 2006, Estonia and Chile issued the joint Antarctic themed stamp series, designed by Ülle Marks and Jüri Kass, bearing images of the Emperor penguin and the minke whale.Õhtuleht , 25 October 2006 The works of Chilean writers Isabel Allende, Pablo Neruda and José Donoso have been translated into Estonian.
Chile is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Helsinki, Finland and maintains an honorary consulate in Tallinn. Estonia is accredited to Chile from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tallinn and maintains an honorary consulate in Santiago. Colombia first recognised Estonia on 22 September 1921 and re-recognised the restored Republic of Estonia on 23 March 1994. Colombia is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland. Estonia is accredited to Colombia from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tallinn. Colombia defines Estonia as a major ally and key player on Colombia's accession into the OECD and ratification of the Colombia-European Union Trade Agreement. Costa Rica does not have an accreditation to Estonia Estonia does not have an accreditation to Costa Rica. Cuba is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Helsinki, Finland. Estonia does not have an accreditation to Cuba. El Salvador is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Estonia does not have an accreditation to El Salvador.Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 April 1997. Estonia does not have an accreditation to Guyana. Guyana does not have an accreditation to Estonia. See Estonia–Mexico relations Estonia and Mexico signed a friendship treaty on 28 January 1937. Mexico was among those countries that never recognized Estonia's annexation by the Soviet Union. Mexico recognized the restored Republic of Estonia on 5 September 1991, while diplomatic relations were re-established on 5 December 1991. Estonia is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States and maintains honorary consulates in Mexico City and in Tampico. Mexico is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Helsinki, Finland and maintains an honorary consulate in Tallinn. Estonia is accredited to Peru from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tallinn. Peru is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Helsinki, Finland and maintains an honorary consulate in Tallinn.2009Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 2009. Estonia does not have an accreditation to Saint Kitts and Nevis. Saint Kitts and Nevis does not have an accreditation to Estonia.See Estonia–United States relations Estonia has an embassy in Washington, D.C. and consulates-general in New York City and San Francisco. United States has an embassy in Tallinn. Estonia does not have an accreditation to Uruguay. Uruguay is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Helsinki, Finland and maintains an honorary consulate in Tallinn. Estonia does not have an accreditation to Venezuela. Venezuela is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Oslo, Norway.
Asia Country Formal Relations BeganNotes Afghanistan is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland. Estonia is accredited to Afghanistan from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tallinn. See Armenia–Estonia relations Armenia is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland and an honorary consulate in Tallinn. Estonia is accredited to Armenia from its embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia and through an honorary consulate in Yerevan. There are around 2,000 of Armenian descent living in Estonia. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe. Estonia fully supports Armenia's European integration process. See Azerbaijan-Estonia relations Estonia recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on February 20, 1992.