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 Estonia |  United Kingdom |
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Estonia and the United Kingdom are full members of the COE and NATO. Then United Kingdom is Observer bureau of the CBSS.
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Estonia | United Kingdom |
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Estonia and the United Kingdom are full members of the COE and NATO. Then United Kingdom is Observer bureau of the CBSS.
The relationship between the UK and Estonia has its beginning during the Estonian War of Independence, when the UK sent a Royal Navy detachment led by Admiral E.A. Sinclair to defend Estonia's shores. The British seamen who gave their lives defending Estonia's freedom during the conflict were laid to rest in the Tallinn Military Cemetery. [1]
Before the Soviet occupation in 1940, relations between the UK and Estonia were close. The UK was a major market for Estonian produce, more than 30% of Estonia's exports went to the UK. The United Kingdom never recognised Estonia's annexation in 1940. [1]
The UK recognised the restoration of Estonian Independence on 27 August 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were re-established on 5 September 1991, and the British Embassy opened in Tallinn in the same year. Estonia's relations with the UK are close. Britain provided both political and practical support to Estonia's efforts to join the EU and NATO. [2]
Both Estonia and the United Kingdom provided contributions to the NATO mission in Afghanistan.
In October 2016 it was announced that 800 British troops would be stationed at Tapa Army Base in Estonia. [3]
The British Council has a representation in Tallinn. There is an active programme of English language teaching support, cultural exchange and scholarships for Estonian students to study in the UK. [2]
An estimated 10,000-15,000 Estonian citizens live in the UK, about 3,000-5,000 of them in London. [1] The most active communities are in London, Bradford and Leicester. There is a total of 13 Estonian societies in the UK, the oldest being the London Estonian Society established in 1921. [1]
Tallinn and Estonia's reputation as a tourist destination has grown in Great Britain over the past few years. Estonia's accession to the EU in 2004 gave a significant boost to reciprocal travel – that year 30% and the following year (2005) 60% more (62.3 thousand) British tourists were accommodated in Estonia than in previous years. In 2012 nearly 55 thousand British tourists used Estonian accommodation establishments. Tallinn has also become one of the most popular destinations among Baltic cruise ports. In 2012 over 75 000 British cruise tourists visited Estonia. [1]
Reports of British tourists excessively drinking in Tallinn have received media coverage in the UK. [4]
The UK is in 9th place among Estonia's trade partners, making up 3% of Estonia's total trade turnover. UK-Estonian trade was worth 790 million euros in 2012. As a foreign investor, the UK's interest in Estonia has been fairly great – it is the source of 2% of all foreign direct investments made in Estonia. [1]
Lauri Bambus was appointed Estonian ambassador to the United Kingdom in August 2014. [1] Christopher Holtby was appointed British ambassador to Estonia in January 2012. [5]
Estonia has an embassy in London. [6] The United Kingdom has an embassy in Tallinn. [7]
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom paid a state visit to Estonia in October 2006. [8] Prince Harry also made an official visit in May 2014 and paid tribute to Estonia's war dead. [9]
Leaders regularly meet as part of the Northern Future Forum.
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 diplomatic foreign relations of the United Kingdom are conducted by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, headed by the Foreign Secretary. The prime minister and numerous other agencies play a role in setting policy, and many institutions and businesses have a voice and a role.
In a referendum on 21 May 2006, the people of Montenegro opted to leave the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. This result was confirmed with a declaration of independence by the Montenegrin parliament on 3 June 2006. It simultaneously requested international recognition and outlined foreign policy goals.
The bilateral relations between the Italian Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are warm and exceptionally strong. Both nations are members of the United Nations, NATO, Council of Europe, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, G7 and G20 major economies, World Trade Organization, and among others.
British–Portuguese relations are foreign relations between Portugal and the United Kingdom. The relationship, largely driven by the nations' common interests as maritime countries on the edge of Europe and close to larger continental neighbours, dates back to the Middle Ages in 1373 with the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance. The two countries now enjoy a friendly and close relationship. Both countries are members of the Council of Europe and NATO. Portugal is a European Union member and the United Kingdom is a former European Union member.
Belgium–United Kingdom relations are foreign relations between Belgium and the United Kingdom. Belgium has an embassy in London and 8 honorary consulates. The United Kingdom has an embassy in Brussels.
Malta–United Kingdom relations are foreign relations between Malta and the United Kingdom. The two countries share membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and the European Union up till 31 January 2020 when the UK withdrew from the bloc.
British–Romanian relations are bilateral foreign relations between United Kingdom and Romania. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1880. Both countries are members of NATO. The United Kingdom has an embassy in Bucharest and Romania has an embassy in London. Romania also has two consulates general in Edinburgh and Manchester. Romania also has five honorary consulates based in Leeds, Newcastle, Inverness, Liverpool and Bristol. Romania has a cultural institute in London. The United Kingdom gave full support to Romania's applications for membership in the European Union and NATO.
Bulgarian–British relations are foreign relations between Bulgaria and the United Kingdom. Both countries established diplomatic relations in July 1879 as Bulgaria achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire. The two nations were enemies during the First World War, most of the Second World War, and the Cold War. Bulgaria has an embassy in London, and the United Kingdom have an embassy in Sofia. Both countries are full members of NATO and Council of Europe. the United Kingdom gave full support to Bulgaria's applications for membership in the European Union and NATO.
Relations between Ukraine and the United Kingdom have existed in one form or another since Ukrainian independence in 1991. The two countries have ties across political, military, social and economic spheres. The UK hosts up to 200,000 Ukrainian refugees giving it the sixth largest Ukrainian migrant population in Europe.
Albania–United Kingdom relations are the bilateral relations between Albania and the United Kingdom. Albania has an embassy in London, and the United Kingdom has an embassy in Tirana.
Kosovo–United Kingdom relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. When Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008, the United Kingdom became one of the first countries to announce the official recognition of a sovereign Kosovo on 18 February 2008. The United Kingdom has had an embassy in Pristina since 5 March 2008. Kosovo has had an embassy in London since 1 October 2008. The two countries have very good and friendly relations.
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.
Strong foreign relations exist between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom. The Embassy of United Kingdom in Baku opened in 1992. The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in London opened in 1994. Both countries are members of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Foreign relations exist between Austria and the United Kingdom, and have been positive and friendly since Austrian independence in 1955. Both nations are members of the Council of Europe. The two nations share close economic and technological ties, and cooperate in a variety of fields, particularly when the UK was a member of the European Union and also more recently in condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They have also agreed to cooperate on mutual interests over matters involving security in the Balkans, including regarding Kosovo, Albania and Serbia and furthermore to work together on countering subversive Russian activity in the region.
Croatia–United Kingdom relations, or British-Croatian relations, are foreign relations between Croatia and the United Kingdom. After Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia in June 1991, the UK established diplomatic relations with Croatia on 25 June 1992. Both countries are members of the Council of Europe and NATO. the United Kingdom gave full support to Croatia's applications for membership in the European Union and NATO.
Formal diplomatic relations between Georgia and the United Kingdom can be traced back to at least 1919, during the First Georgian Republic. After the defeat of German Empire, Georgia's ally, in WWI, parts of Georgia came under British administration and British troops were also stationed in Tiflis to stave off the Bolshevik invasion. This lasted until 1920, when Britain left due to a variety of geopolitical factors.
Montenegro–United Kingdom relations are the bilateral relations between Montenegro and the United Kingdom. Both nations are members of the Council of Europe and NATO and had fought on the same side in both World War I and World War II.
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.
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