Estonia–United States relations

Estonia – United States relations

Estonia
United States

Estonian-U.S. relations are bilateral relations between Estonia and the United States. The relationship has been constant and strong since Estonia first became independent. The United States and Estonia are important allies and partners.

According to the 2012 U.S. Global Leadership Report, 31% of Estonians approve of U.S. leadership, with 32% disapproving and 37% uncertain.[1]

History

The United States recognized the Republic of Estonia de jure on July 28, 1922. The first Estonian diplomatic mission in the United States was opened in the same year. It continued its activities throughout the period of occupation by the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991. The U.S. government recognized Estonia's diplomatic mission as a legal representative of the Republic of Estonia. The recognition of the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia has been the cornerstone of Estonian-U.S. relations.

George W. Bush with Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves in 2006.
President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas in the Ämari Air Base, Estonia

The U.S. reopened its embassy in Tallinn on September 4, 1991. Relations between the two countries have since developed rapidly. In November 2006, President George W. Bush became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Estonia. During the visit, he announced the administration's intention to work with the U.S. Congress to make changes to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, increasing security while facilitating entry for legitimate visitors and businesspeople from countries like Estonia.

President Barack Obama nominated Jeffrey D. Levine as ambassador to Estonia and he was confirmed by the Senate on March 29, 2012. Ambassador Levine presented his credentials to Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves on September 17, 2012. Mrs. Marina Kaljurand, in September 2011, replaced Mr. Väino Reinart who had been serving as Estonia's ambassador to the United States since September 2007. Estonia also is represented in the United States by a consulate general in New York, Sten Schwede; and ten honorary consuls: Jaak Treiman in Los Angeles, Eric Harkna in Chicago, Irja Cilluffo in New Hampshire, Paul Aarne Raidna in Seattle, Richard Drake in Houston, Larry Ruth in Lincoln, Harry Huge in Charleston, Michael Corey Chan in Scottsdale, Aadu Allpere in Atlanta, and Gerard McGovern in New Orleans.

Principal U.S. Officials in Estonia

Embassy of Estonia in Washington, D.C.
  • Ambassador - James D. Melville, Jr.
  • Deputy Chief of Mission - Chever X. Voltmer
  • Head of Political/Economic Section - Lee Rusty Brown
  • Management Officer - Ila Jurisson
  • Legal Attaché - Andrew Wade
  • Consul - Lisa Cross
  • Public Affairs Officer - Brad Hurst
  • Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché: David Wiseman

Principal Estonian Officials in US - Embassy

  • Ambassador - Mrs. Marina Kaljurand
  • Deputy Chief of Mission - Mr. Tanel Sepp
  • First Secretary / Political Affairs - Mr. Oleg Dmitrijev
  • Economic Affairs Officer - Ms. Marju Kõrts
  • Public/Cultural Affairs Officer - Ms. Maria Belovas
  • Defense Attache - Colonel Aivar Salekešin
  • Counsellor / Defense - Mr. Jonatan Vseviov
  • Consul General - Mr. Sten Schwede
  • Consul - Ms. Renna Unt

Estonian Honorary Consuls in US

  • Los Angeles - Mr. Jaak Treiman, Esq.
  • Chicago, IL - Mr. Eric Harkna
  • Portsmouth, NH - Mrs. Irja Cilluffo
  • Seattle, WA - Mr. Paul Aarne Raidna
  • Houston, TX - Mr. F. Richard Drake
  • Phoenix, AZ - Mr. Michael Corey Chan
  • Lincoln, NE - Mr. Larry Ruth, Esq.
  • Charleston, SC - Mr. Harry Huge, Esq.
  • Atlanta, GA - Mr. Aadu Allpere
  • San Francisco, CA - Mr. Richard Horning
  • St. Petersburg, FL - Mrs. Lisa A. Mets
  • Miami, FL - Mr. Jorge L. Viera

Embassies

The U.S. Embassy in Estonia is located in Tallinn.

Estonia maintains an Embassy in Washington, D.C., a consulate general in New York and has honorary consuls in Los Angeles; Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA; Houston, TX; Portsmouth, NH; Lincoln, NE; Charleston, SC and Scottsdale, AZ.[2][3][4]

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Department of State website http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/index.htm (U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets).

  1. ↑ U.S. Global Leadership Project Report - 2012 Gallup
  2. ↑ Estonian Embassy in Washington
  3. ↑ Estonian Embassy in Washington
  4. ↑ Consulate of the Republic of Estonia

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