On 15 May, Estonian Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran Marin Mõttus presented her credentials to President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran. Ambassador Mõttus resides in Ankara.

After the ceremony, Ambassador Mõttus and President Rouhani affirmed good relations between Estonia and Iran. President Rouhani pointed out that Iran was one of the first countries to recognise Estonia’s independence. Ambassador Mõttus said she is delighted at the opportunity to be the first Estonian ambassador to Iran.

Ambassador Mõttus noted that in terms of cooperation, the fields of IT and e-services are the most promising. “First contacts between Estonian and Iranian companies have been established and information on Estonia’s e-services and e-Residency has reached Iran,” Mõttus noted. There are 217 Estonian e-residents among Iranian citizens. Both the President and the Ambassador agreed that there are unused economic opportunities.

They also discussed opportunities to develop tourism between the two countries. Ambassador Mõttus says that both countries are interested in developing this sector. “Introducing Persian cultural heritage to Estonians could offer a number of interesting opportunities for tourism companies,” she added. Positive developments in the fields of education and science were also mentioned.

Ambassador Mõttus and President Rouhani also discussed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. “The Iran nuclear deal is important for Estonia. As an EU Member State we are ready to take steps that are realistic and allow the nuclear deal to be preserved,” Mõttus said. Ambassador Mõttus expressed hope that Iran will continue to implement its nuclear related commitments.

Ambassador Mõttus also introduced Estonian campaign to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2020-2021 to President Rouhani.

Marin Mõttus graduated from the University of Tartu’s Faculty of Estonian language and literature and in 2000 she earned her Master’s degree in international relations from the Diplomatic School of Spain in Madrid and Complutense University. Mõttus has worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1997. Since October 2010, Mõttus was Estonia’s Ambassador to Portugal and just before assuming her current position, she worked as Director of the Bureau of Asia, Africa, Australia and Latin America in the Foreign Ministry’s Political Department. Since June 2016, Mõttus is the Estonian Ambassador to Turkey, Lebanon and Azerbaijan.

The program of the concert included pieces of Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns, Richard Strauss, Václav Trojan, Estonian composer Eduar Tubin and Latvian composer Volfgangs Dārziņš, as well as the Turkish composer Ferit Tüzün.   

Ms Anu Tali is a co-founder of the Nordic Symphony Orchestra, an international orchestra beloved and popular mostly in Northern Europe. During recent years, Anu Tali has worked with several orchestras in the US and is the musical director of Sarasota Orchestra since 2013.

Ms Lauma Skride was awarded the Beethoven Ring in 2008 and is highly acclaimed for her interpretations of Germanic classical and romantic repertoire. Lauma Skride has worked with BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Hungarian National Philharmonic, hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt, Hamburger Symphoniker, Dresdner Philharmonie, Essener Philharmoniker, Bremer Philharmoniker, Philharmonisches Orchester Heidelberg, Tapiola Sinfonietta among others.

Mr Martynas Levickis is a leading exponent of the accordion. He is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in recognition of his distinguished contribution to music in his field. He sits on the Advisory Board of the Lithuanian World Arts Council. Praised by The Times for his “mastery of an instrument once dismissed as a squeezebox”, accordionist Martynas Levickis has captivated audiences and critics alike with his musicality, charisma and dynamic performances.

Mr Gabrielius Alekna has garnered more then a dozen top prizes in competitions on both sides sides of the Atlantic, such as Hilton Head (United states), maria Canals (Spain) and Čiurlionis (Lithuania) Internationa Piano Competitions. He is one of the most prominent Lithuanian pianists who also has a special interest in education and development of yound talents.

Foreign Minister Sven Mikser met Turkey’s Minster for European Union Affairs Ömer Çelik. Mikser reaffirmed good Estonia-Turkey relations and Estonia’s desire to contribute to continuing dialogue between the EU and Turkey.

The ministers discussed currently salient topics: the migration crisis, the Turkish candidature for EU membership, and the situation with human rights and freedom of speech in Turkey. Mikser said the deterioration in the field of human rights and freedom of the media and speech in Turkey is raising many questions and that Turkey as a candidate state is expected to take rapid positive steps in this regard. “It is in the interests of both Estonia and the EU to maintain and develop dialogue with Turkey,” said Mikser.

Estonia continues to be among the Member States in support of EU enlargement but it should be considered that there is currently a lack of consensus in the EU regarding continuing accession talks with Turkey.

15-16 August 2017

Prime Minister Jüri Ratas met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Binal Yıldırım. During the meetings, important issues for the European Union and Turkey were discussed, such as migration and the situation of refugees, security and the fight against terrorism, as well as relations between Estonia and Turkey.

In addition, Prime Minister Ratas visited the International Organization for Migration (UN / IOM) in Gaziantep, near Syria's border, and a refugee camp in the city of Nizipi. Prime Minister also met with Gaziantep's mayor.

Read more:

https://www.valitsus.ee/en/news/prime-minister-ratas-it-important-estonia-turkey-would-remain-european-course

https://www.valitsus.ee/en/news/prime-minister-ratas-turkey-striving-hard-provide-refugees-decent-living-environment

Three biggest Estonian public universities: Tallinn University, Tallinn University of Technology and University of Tartu welcome students who are looking for study opportunities abroad. At the Info Session you will hear about Bachelor's and Master's programmes taught in English, the admission process and scholarships for international students.
After the info session, Tallinn University will also offer an opportunity to take the English language tests required for admission. If the applicant gets the required points and passes the exam, it will give him/her the access to apply for Tallinn University, Tallinn University of Technology and University of Tartu without presenting TOEFL/IELTS or other English language test. Please see more information about the test on the following site: http://www.tlu.ee/en/admissions/Meet-Us/Tallinn-University-in-Turkey/Tallinn-Universitys-English-language-exam-in-Turkey

For more info:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1565830060148071/

https://www.facebook.com/events/136152183680651/

The Estonian cellist Andreas Lend and the Turkish pianist Hande Dalkılıç gave a joint concert on 21 March 2017 at the Çankaya Municipality Contemporary Art Center in Ankara. The program included “Op. 102 in Do major” by Beethoven as well as the beloved “Sonatas in Mi minor for piano and cello” by Brahms. Also “Three Turkish Folk Songs” by the Turkish composer Özkan Manav, and “Blond Bride” by the Turkish composer Çetin Işıközlü, available on the last album of Maestro Dalkılıç, was played together with the music of the two distinguished Estonian composers Arvo Pärt and Eino Eller.

The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board has appointed four Migration Advisors whose job is to give advice to people who would like to go to Estonia for studies or employment or start a business there.

The Migration Advisors give legal advice about settling in Estonia and the necessary documentation to people coming to study and work here, but also to employers and educational institutions who invite foreigners to Estonia.

The Migration Experts will be working in four Estonian cities – Tallinn, Tartu, Jõhvi and partly also in Pärnu.

 It is possible to ask their advice in three languages – Estonian, English and Russian.

You may contact them by e- mail ([email protected]), Skype (EstonianPolice_MigrationAdvice) or by calling the number +372 612 35 00. Further information is available on the following webpage: www.politsei.ee/migrationadvice/

A delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Estonia Riigikogu visited Turkey on 30 January – 02 February 2017. The aim of the visit was to strengthen bilateral relations and learn about the situation of the refugees on the Turkish-Syrian border.

“Estonia has traditionally had good relations with Turkey, and with this visit, we want to strengthen them even more,” Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson said. “Turkey is an important ally for us in NATO, and since 2015, a full member of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn.”

In Mihkelson’s opinion, dialogue with Turkey should be deepened especially now. “Turkey has decisive role in ensuring the security and stability of the region, in resolving the refugee crisis and in fight against terrorism,” Mihkelson said. He also added that some developments regarding human rights and freedom of expression in the country cause concern.

In Ankara, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee had meetings with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Mr. Taha Özhan, with the the Chairman of the Turkish-Estonian Friendship Group Mr. Kasım Bostan, with the Chairman of the EU Harmonization Committee Mr. Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar, and with the Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay.

During the meetings in Istanbul, bilateral economic relations, which have become closer during the last decade, were discussed. The delegation also visited the aid project Small Projects Istanbul which is supported by Estonia and where Syrian war refugee children are taught languages and women can earn livelihood with hand crafts.

The delegation also went to the city of Gaziantep near the Syrian border, where they were given an overview of the work of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Turkish-Syrian border areas and relocation of refugees. In Gaziantep, the delegation also visited the Family Reunification Center financed by the German Embassy, as well as the refugee camp Nizip-2.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson was accompanied during the visit by the members of the Committee Liisa Oviir, Andres Herkel, Henn Põlluaas and the Ambassador of Estonia to Turkey Marin Mõttus.

Today, Ambassador Marin Mõttus presented her credentials to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Alijev. Ambassador Mõttus resides in Ankara.

Ambassador Marin Mõttus reaffirmed at the meeting with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Alijev that relations between Estonia and Azerbaijan are good and she also emphasised the importance of mutual economic interests. “Estonia is very interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan in transport and logistics as the geographical location of the country makes it one of the regional hubs of the south-north transit corridor in development.

Both sides also emphasised the need to further develop tourism and cultural relations between the two countries. The President of Azerbaijan in turn, highlighted Estonia’s experience in developing the agricultural sector and recognised successful cooperation between the Estonian IT sector and Azerbaijan in developing Azerbaijan’s e-services.

The President and the Ambassador also discussed topics related to the EU. “We are happy that the Estonian Presidency of the EU takes place at the time when Azerbaijan and the EU negotiate a new Strategic Partnership agreement,” Mõttus said. She added that the Summit of Eastern Partnership will be one of the most important events of the Estonian Presidency. President Alijev reaffirmed that the EU is an important partner for Azerbaijan and he expressed hope that the EU implements individual approaches to Eastern Partnership countries.

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/estonian-foreign-ministry/albums/721576752...

Today, Ambassador Marin Mõttus presented her credentials in Beirut to the Lebanese President Michel Aoun. Ambassador Mõttus resides in Ankara.

After the ceremony, Ambassador Mõttus expressed pleasure that Estonia and Lebanon have had good relations for a very long time. “Lebanon is an important country for us in the region,” she reaffirmed. The Ambassador and the President noted that relations between the two countries could be even stronger, especially in the areas related to e-governance.  “It is also noteworthy that Estonia has already nine e-Residents from Lebanon,” Mõttus said. 

They also discussed developing economic relations and cooperation in tourism. According to Ambassador Mõttus, both countries are interested in developing these sectors. “Companies of the two countries have also showed mutual interest and that interest should be harnessed,” Ambassador said. “Lebanon’s diverse and well-preserved historic heritage is certainly interesting for tourism purposes,” she added.

Yesterday, Marin Mõttus met with the Foreign Minister of Lebanon Gebran Bassil to present copies of her credentials. They discussed relations between Estonia and Lebanon and sharing Estonia’s e-state and e-governance experience with Lebanon.

Representatives of the Foreign Ministry of Estonia and the Foreign Ministry of Turkey met in Tallinn on 25 November 2016 to discuss consular and migration issues.

“Estonia considers the implementation of the resettlement agreement between EU and Turkey an important element for solving the migration crisis in Europe” said Aino Lepik von Wirén, Acting Undersecretary and Director General for Europe and Transatlantic Cooperation. “We appreciate Turkey’s effort to host about 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey and prevent illegal migration to Europe” Lepik von Wirén added.

Lepik von Wirén enphazised that EU also respects and fulfills its commitments regarding the resettlement agreement. She added that the commitments fulfilled this year are already worth more than 2,2 billion Euros out of the 3 billion Euros assigned for the refugee facility to support humanitarian aid, build social and educational structure and provide services in these Turkish regions where the number of refugees is very high. Furthermore, since the resettlement agreement between EU and Turkey was signed on 18 March, 2343 Syrian refugees have been resettled from Turkey to Europe, 11 of them to Estonia. Also adaption program for refugees in Estonia was presented to the Turkish counterparts.

Lepik von Wirén reiterated that Estonia condemns the attempted military coup d’état in Turkey and supports its democratically elected constitutional institutions, emphasizing the importance of ensuring freedom of information, assembly and speech as well as political variety in Turkey.

The Head of the Turkish Delegation was Ambassador Mehmet Samsar, Director General for Consular Affairs.

For more photos click: https://www.flickr.com/photos/estonian-foreign-ministry/albums/721576730...