Canada–Estonia relations

Canadian–Estonian relations

Canada

Estonia

Canadian–Estonian relations are foreign relations between Canada and Estonia. Canada recognised Estonia in 1922 and re-recognised Estonia on August 26, 1991. Canada is represented in Estonia through its embassy in Riga (Latvia) and an honorary consulate in Tallinn.[1] Estonia has an embassy in Ottawa and 4 honorary consulates (in Montreal, Vancouver, and 2 in Toronto).[2] There are around 22,000 Canadians of Estonian descent.[3] The two countries are part of the NATO military alliance.

History

Although Canada recognised that Estonia had de facto become part of the Soviet Union, it did not recognise the legality of the annexation of Estonia by the Soviet Union (de jure).[4][5] On August 26, 1991, in the wake of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Canada recognized the independence of Estonia.[6]

In 2018 Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau welcomed Estonian prime minister Jüri Ratas in Ottawa, where the two agreed to "broaden cooperation" on "digital government and the digital economy; defence and security; and trade".[7] During the 2023 Vilnius summit, Trudeau and Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas held a bilateral meeting in which Kallas thanked Trudeau for doubling its military presence in Latvia, which would "help strengthen the security of the entire Baltic Sea region".[8] Kallas also noted that a Canadian company was building a magnet factory in Narva, which would bring additional jobs to the city.[9] In October 2023, the Canadian and Estonian ministers of foreign affairs met in Ottawa, where they discussed how to manage Russian assets frozen in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as potential cooperation in the fields of cybersecurity and countering disinformation.[10][11]

Previous Canadian ambassadors to Estonia

Embassy of Canada in Tallinn
The Canadian embassy in Tallinn
LocationTallinn
AddressToom-Kooli, 10130
AmbassadorLaird Hindle
  • Laird Hindle (2023–present)
  • Kevin Rex (2018–2022)
  • Alain Hausser (2015–2018)
  • John Morrison (2012–2014)
  • Scott Heatherington (2009–2012)
  • Claire A. Poulin (2006–2008)
  • Robert Andrigo (2002–2005)
  • Peter P.L. McKellar (1999–2002)
  • William L. Clarke (1995–1999)
  • Michael Burke Phillips (1993–1995)
  • Mary Vandenhoff (1991–1992)

Previous Estonian ambassadors to Canada

Embassy of Estonia in Ottawa
The Estonian embassy in Ottawa
LocationOttawa
Address168 Daly Ave. K1N 6E9
AmbassadorMargus Rava

See also

References

  1. ^ "Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant to visit Tallinn, Estonia". Global Affairs Canada. September 6, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  2. ^ Tambur, Silver (November 23, 2022). "Estonian president inaugurates the country's new embassy building in Ottawa". Estonian World. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  3. ^ "Canada-Estonia relations". Global Affairs Canada. September 4, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  4. ^ Mälksoo, Lauri (June 28, 2022), "The Baltic States Between 1940 and 1991: Illegality and/or Prescription", Illegal Annexation and State Continuity, Brill Nijhoff, p. 102, doi:10.1163/9789004464896_005, ISBN 978-90-04-46489-6, retrieved May 6, 2024
  5. ^ "Laane & Baltser v. Estonian S.S. Line - SCC Cases". decisions.scc-csc.ca. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  6. ^ "History of Diplomatic Relations – Ottawa". ottawa.mfa.ee. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  7. ^ "Canada-Estonia Joint Statement". Prime Minister of Canada. May 28, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  8. ^ "Allies must take Russian threat extremely seriously – Estonian PM". www.baltictimes.com. July 11, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  9. ^ "Kallas: Russia's long-term threat necessitates NATO defense upgrading". Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR). July 11, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  10. ^ "Tsahkna kiitis Ottawas koostööd Kanadaga". Postimees (in Estonian). October 20, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "Minister: Allies like Canada a very good thing in current global security situation". Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR). October 21, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2024.