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. Estonia's immediate priority after regaining its independence was the withdrawal of Russian 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.
The relations between Estonia and the United States have been constant and strong since Estonia regained its independence in 1991. The United States and Estonia are allies and partners.
The Hellenic Republic recognised the Republic of Estonia on May 19, 1922. Greece never recognised the Soviet annexation of Estonia. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on October 2, 1991. In April 1997, Estonia has established an embassy in Athens. The Greek embassy in Tallinn opened in January 2005. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the European Union and NATO.
Bulgarian-Estonian relations are the bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Estonia. Bulgaria recognised Estonia on May 20, 1922 and re-recognised Estonia on August 26, 1991. Both countries restored diplomatic relations on September 10, 1991. Both countries are members of the Council of Europe, the European Union and NATO.
Estonian-Georgian relations are foreign relations between Estonia and Georgia. Before 1991, both countries were part of the USSR and before that of the Russian Empire. Georgia recognized the restored Republic of Estonia on August 27, 1991. Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 17, 1992. Since July 2006, Estonia has an embassy in Tbilisi. Since April 2007, Georgia has an embassy in Tallinn.
Foreign relations exist between Australia and Estonia. Australia first recognised Estonia on 22 September 1921. Australia was among the first countries to re-recognise Estonia's independence on 27 August 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on 21 November 1991.
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. Estonia has an embassy in Ottawa and 4 honorary consulates. There are around 22,000 Canadians of Estonian descent. The two countries are part of the NATO military alliance.
Estonia–Germany relations are foreign relations between Estonia and Germany. Estonia has an embassy in Berlin. Germany has an embassy in Tallinn. Both countries are full members of the European Union, NATO, OECD, OSCE, Council of Europe, Council of the Baltic Sea States, HELCOM and WTO.
Estonia–Finland relations are the bilateral relations between Finland and Estonia. The independent Republic of Finland, established in 1917, and the independent Republic of Estonia, established in 1918, established diplomatic relations and formally recognised each other in 1920. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were interrupted during World War II and officially restored on 29 August 1991. Finland has an embassy in Tallinn. Estonia has an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Council of Europe, European Union, NATO and the Eurozone. Finland has given full support to Estonia's membership of the European Union. Estonia also has strongly supported Finland's NATO membership. The majority of languages in both countries are Finnic languages, as Finland's main language, Finnish, is related to Estonian, and there is and has been a certain feeling of kinship. 76% of Finns have visited Estonia, and in 2004, 1.8 million Finns reported visiting Estonia. The excise tax on alcohol is lower in Estonia than in Finland, thus it is common to buy large volumes of alcohol when returning from Estonia: a study in 2014 indicated that 34% of alcohol sold in Estonia is bought by Finns. Finnish and Swedish investors are the largest foreign investors in Estonia. Both Finland and Estonia are members of the European Union, Schengen agreement and the Eurozone, freeing international travel and trade between the countries. Finland is Estonia's top import partner, accounting for over 15% total import value in 2012, as well as the second-greatest market for Estonia's exports after Sweden. Finland's government recognised Estonia's independence in 1920. In response to the Soviet invasion, diplomatic missions were de facto removed. However, when Estonia restored its independence, this "temporary obstruction" was resolved. During the restoration of Estonia's independence, Finland secretly contributed with significant economic aid and know-how under the cover of "cultural co-operation" in order to not upset the Soviet Union. Finland continues to contribute militarily, such as officers' training, and the provision of equipment.
Estonia–Lithuania relations refer to the bilateral relations between Estonia and Lithuania. Estonia has an embassy in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Tallinn. Both countries are situated in the Baltic region and are the full members of NATO and the European Union.
Estonia–Spain relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between these two countries. Both nations are members of the Council of Europe, European Union, NATO and the United Nations.
Foreign relations exist between Azerbaijan and Estonia. Both countries were part of Russian Empire and Soviet Union. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Tallinn. Estonia is represented in Azerbaijan through its embassy in Ankara (Turkey). Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Azerbaijan, along with Georgia and Armenia, is Estonia's ally in South Caucasus. Approximately 2,500 Azerbaijanis live in Estonia.
Estonia–India relations are the bilateral relations between Estonia and India. India first recognised Estonia on 22 September 1921 when the former had just acquired membership in the League of Nations. India re-recognised Estonia on 9 September 1991 and diplomatic relations were established on 2 December of the same year in Helsinki. Estonia is represented in India by its embassy in New Delhi. India has an embassy in Tallinn.
Estonia–Sweden relations are the bilateral relations between the Republic of Estonia and the Kingdom of Sweden. Estonia has an embassy in Stockholm, whereas Sweden has an embassy in Tallinn.
Estonia and Latvia, the two northernmost Baltic states, share 343 km of common borders and a long common history, having since the 13th century been ruled by the Livonian Order, Poland–Lithuania, Sweden and finally, until achieving independence in 1918, the Russian Empire. They were both re-occupied by the USSR between 1945 and 1991. The countries reestablished diplomatic relations on 3 January 1992. Estonia has an embassy in Riga, and Latvia has an embassy in Tallinn.
Estonia and the United Kingdom are full members of the Council of Europe and NATO.
Belarus–Estonia relations are foreign relations between Belarus and Estonia. Before 1991, both countries were part of the USSR, and before then part of the Russian Empire. Diplomatic relations between both countries were established on April 6, 1992. Belarus has a Consulate General in Tallinn. Estonia opened its Consulate General in Minsk on July 21, 1995.
The Embassy of the United States in Tallinn, Estonia, is located at the chancery building on Kentmanni Street. This building housed the U.S. legation to Estonia from April 1, 1930 until September 5, 1940. The U.S. Mission to Estonia resumed operations in the same building on February 6, 1992.
The nations of Estonia and Mexico initially established diplomatic relations in 1937, however, relations were broken after the annexation of Estonia by the USSR in 1944. Diplomatic relations were re-established in 1991. Both nations are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.
Estonia–Turkey relations are foreign relations between Estonia and Turkey. Estonia has an embassy in Ankara and Turkey has an embassy in Tallinn. Both countries are full members of Council of Europe and of NATO. Estonia is also an EU member and Turkey is an EU candidate.
