Estonian Embassy in Sweden :: News & Events

Article by the President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves in Policy Review

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:52:40 GMT

"I’ll Gladly Pay You Tuesday"

31.03.2012

by Toomas Hendrik Ilves

Slowly, ever so slowly, we are realizing, or at least should be, that the fundamental reordering of Europe that began with the crumbling collapse of an overextended and unsustainable communist glacis in the late 1980s has had far greater and far-reaching reverberations than we then would or could have predicted.

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Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the President of the Republic on the 94th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia in the Vanemuine, Tartu

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:37:16 GMT

President Ilves: Sweden sets an example for a number of euro zone countries

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:25:52 GMT

Stockholm, January 24, 2012

“Satisfying results cannot be achieved in solving the complicated financial problems faced by Europe, without involving countries that follow conservative and responsible budgetary policies, yet do not belong to the euro zone, such as Sweden and Poland. Just like Estonia, they pay their current bills immediately, not next week – they comply with rules and meet the obligations that they have taken,” told the President, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, in Stockholm, at the end of his two-day working visit to the Kingdom of Sweden.

According to the President, Europe’s immediate future depends on solving the European debt crisis, as distrust in single countries has extended to cover the whole euro zone. “Sweden sets an example for several euro zone countries with its financial responsibility,” President Ilves told. “This is the reason why I hope that Sweden will join the new European Union fiscal agreement, which will strengthen the euro zone; this serves the interests of both of us.”

The current financial crisis must not result in the withdrawal of the European Union and locking doors, emphasised the Estonian Head of State. “Vice versa: being interested in closer co-operation within the European Union, we also attach importance to continued integration throughout Europe, particularly in our relations with neighbouring countries,” President Ilves told.

When speaking of co-operation between the Baltic Sea countries, the Estonian head of State described it as “excellent and bringing the region together”. Our countries co-operate in an array of spheres, from education and the environment to cyber security and national defence, President Ilves stated, giving the Nordic Battle Group, led by Sweden, which is one of the best prepared military units in the history of the European Union, as an example.

“It is regrettable that the European Union has not used battle groups to solve crises, even if this has been required in the interests of the member states,” President Ilves told. “Estonia and Sweden agree that serious debate in Brussels is needed to settle this issue and if appropriate, the concept of battle groups should be adjusted to become more flexible. The rapid response unit cannot remain a luxury that is kept solely for training purposes.”

The Estonian Head of State acknowledged the close co-operation between Sweden and Estonia in the sphere of cyber defence: “Attaching a clear and usable output to cyber defence and cyber security in the EU’s security policies serves the interests of the European Union as whole. Establishing a cyber unit in the European Union that would support military missions is one of the ideas. The Nordic and Baltic states could and should take a stronger leading role in this matter.”

Office of the President

Public Relations Department

Phone +372 631 6229

President Ilves on a working visit to Sweden

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:52:16 GMT

The President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves arrived in Stockholm on January 23, for a two days working visit that includes meetings with the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf; the Speaker of the Riksdag, Per Westerberg; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Bildt; and Minister of Defence, Sten Tolgfors. The President will also give a presentation "I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today“ at a Swedish Foreign Policy Institute, and meet the representatives of biggest Swedish investors, including the banking sector.

“Sweden is the largest foreign investor and largest export partner for Estonia; our countries are closely linked through defence co-operation and the Baltic Sea Strategy,” told President Ilves. “By our financial and budget policies, both countries are among the most responsible countries of the European Union, and we share a common understanding of modern security threats, such as the inevitability of commitment to cyber security.”

Foreign Minister Paet: Nordic Council of Ministers has been an additional link to the Nordics

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:31:06 GMT

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stressed today on the 20th anniversary of the Estonian representation of the Nordic Council of Ministers that the presence of the council in Estonia has constituted an additional connection to the Nordics, helping to make cooperation and interpersonal ties more substantial.

Paet said that in the beginning, the NCM offered more of a helping hand, but now the cooperation is more like a mutually beneficial partnership. “Led by NCM, Estonian university students have been able to study in the Nordics, our local governments have found partners in cooperation, our cultural figures have received new ideas and our companies have found useful business contacts,” he said. Paet added that Estonia had much to offer the Nordics today. “We have a number of useful ideas, such as the e-health project, which a number of the Nordics are very interested in."

Paet noted that the NCM representation is also devoted to introducing the Nordic lifestyles on a broader level. “Currently an environmental festival is underway in Tallinn,” said Paet, “and May was Nordic Design Month. And the New Nordic Food project has helped make a better acquaintance with Nordic culinary culture.”

Paet also highlighted the NCM’s contribution to promoting regional development in Estonia. He added that the Tartu office of the council and information points in Narva, Pärnu and Valga have given everyone in Estonia a chance to feel like the Nordics are closer to home, helping to introduce Nordic values and intensify contacts over Estonia.

For more information on the Nordic Council of Ministers, visit: http://www.norden.ee/

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SPOKESPERSON’S OFFICE

Estonia to begin diplomat exchange with Nordics and Baltics

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:22:55 GMT

Today in Helsinki, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and counterparts from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Latvia and Lithuania signed an agreement on exchange of diplomats, which allows the signatory countries’ diplomats to be sent to each other’s foreign representations in countries where no embassy is maintained.

Paet said the agreement expands Estonia’s possibilities for diplomatic relations in countries where Estonia lacks a representation and is a good example of close Nordic-Baltic cooperation. Estonia is the depositary of the agreement.

Discussing the situation in North Africa and the Middle East, Paet emphasized that Europe must continue working closely with the countries in these regions, including Egypt and Tunisia, in their progress toward an open society. “European experience in carrying out political reforms and organizing elections could be applied in North African countries as well. Protection of human rights must be under special scrutiny,” said Paet.

The foreign ministers emphasized the importance of the will of the Syrian and Libyan people in carrying out reforms for shaping the future of their respective nations. Paet said Estonia would support the sending of a European Union mission to Libya as soon as the situation there allows.

The foreign ministers also discussed EU Eastern Partnership matters and the situation in the Western Balkans and the integration of the countries of that region with the European Union.

Paet also discussed with his colleagues today the future of Nordic-Baltic cooperation at a seminar devoted to the 20th anniversary of the NB8. “Cooperation is not the goal in itself – we are united by values and interests,” said Paet. “The close cooperation between our countries has been successful politically and economically also in other fields. Close ties are precisely the reason our region is one of the fastest-developing in Europe. The productive cooperation between Nordic and Baltic countries in the name of common goals and values should be an example to other regions in the EU.”

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SPOKESPERSON’S OFFICE

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet to discuss future of Nordic-Baltic relations with colleagues

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:25:40 GMT

Today and tomorrow, on 29 and 30 August, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet will take part in the Nordic-Baltic 8 (NB8) foreign ministers' meeting in Helsinki.

The foreign ministers from eight coiuntries will discuss the NB8 cooperation report and the European Union's Eastern Partnership, also touching on important international topics, including the situation in North Africa, the Middle East and the Western Balkans.

On the evening of 30 August, the foreign ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden will meet Ukrainian colleague Konstantin Grištšenko to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine and that country's integration with the European Union.

Paet will also participate in a seminar dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the NB8, titled "Nordic and Baltic states - the next 20 years", in which the future of Nordic-Baltic relations will be examined

SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Prime Minister Ansip thanks Swedish people for supporting restoration of Estonian independence

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:54:46 GMT

Monday, 15 August, Stockholm – Prime Minister Andrus Ansip took part today in an event dedicated to the 20th anniversary of restoration of independence, where he thanked the Swedish nation for supporting Estonia during the restoration of independence.

At the site of the so-called Monday meetings on Norrmalmstorg, Ansip delivered a speech in Swedish emphasizing the historical ties between Estonia and Sweden. “During the Soviet occupation era, Sweden was the principal destination for our fellow citizens who fled the regime – starting in 1944, Sweden became home to thousands of Estonian families,” he said. The prime minister also noted that the Estonian government in exile – the embodiment of the continuity of Estonian statehood – also found refuge in Sweden. “I thank the Swedish people for offering a good home to my fellow countrymen, and for supporting Estonian freedom.”

From March 1990 to September 1991, Norrmalmstorg, and central squares in dozens of other Swedish cities, hosted 79 Monday meetings in which Swedes expressed support for the Baltic states on their road to complete liberation from the Soviet occupation.

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt also invited the prime ministers of Latvia and Lithuania and active members of society from all three Baltics to the 80th such gathering.

Today’s Monday meeting marks the official beginning of the commemoration of Baltic Year 2011 in Sweden, where the events that led to Baltic re-independence 20 years ago will be remembered all through late summer and autumn.

The Prime Minister’s address to the Swedish people can be found here:

http://valitsus.ee/en/news/prime-ministers-speeches-and-statements/40822/speech-given-by-prime-minister-andrus-ansip-at-the-event-commemorating-the-monday-movement-mandagsrorelsen-in-norrmalmstorg-stockholm-on-15-august-2011

Photos of the event: http://valitsus.ee/et/uudised/pildialbum#1262-1

Estonian Ambassador to Sweden Presents Credentials

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:18:54 GMT

On Thursday, 7 April, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Kingdom of Sweden Jaak Jõerüüt presented his credentials to King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden.

In the discussion that followed the presenting of credentials, Ambassador Jaak Jõerüüt and King Carl Gustaf XVI discussed Estonia and Sweden’s very good relations, as well as the necessity for environmental and economic co-operation in the Baltic Sea region, which in turn is tied to developments and problems in the European Union and on a global scale. They also discussed Sweden’s plan to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the restoration of the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in August on a visible and high level. They also discussed Estonia and Sweden’s historical ties, which will forever influence bilateral relations.

After presenting his credentials, the ambassador and other embassy workers headed to the historical Riddarholmen Church, where the coats of arms of the knights of the Order of the Seraphim, including President Lennart Meri, are hung on the walls. They placed a bouquet of flowers in memory and honour of Meri under his coat of arms and memorial plaque.

Jaak Jõerüüt was born on 9 December 1947. In 1973 he graduated from the economic department of the Tallinn Polytechnic Institute. Jaak Jõerüüt began his diplomatic career in 1993 as the ambassador to Finland. From 1997-1998 Jaak Jõerüüt was the director general of the protocol department. After that, from 1998-2002, Jõerüüt worked as the ambassador to Italy, also serving as the accredited ambassador to Malta and Cyprus. From 2002-2004 he was the chief inspector of the Foreign Ministry, and in 2004 he became the ambassador to the UN. From 2004-2005 Jaak Jõerüüt served as the minister of defence. After that Jõerüüt worked as a counsellor of the Foreign Ministry. From 2006-2010 Jaak Jõerüüt was the Estonian ambassador to Latvia.

Jaak Jõerüüt is married to Viivi Luik. Jõerüüt speaks Finnish, English, Russian, and Italian. Jaak Jõerüüt is a member of the Estonian Writers’ Union and has published 16 books of poetry and prose.

Lecture by Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves at Uppsala University

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:29:22 GMT

January 20 the President of the Republic of Estonia will visit Uppsal University and hold a lecture on The Baltic Littoral in the new Europe. The lecture will take place in Grand Auditorium at University Main Building, at 17:00.

Everebody interested are most welcome to attend.

ÖÖ: WAS IT A DREAM?

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 09:45:06 GMT

Nordic avant-garde creatives in Stockholm

ÖÖ, meaning "night" in Estonian, is a temporary gallery, showroom and concept store showcasing work by young avant-garde creatives from six Nordic countries – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The project launched as part of London Design Festival in September 2010, and is now taking place in Stockholm during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

ÖÖ features a collaborative community of entrepreneurs in fashion, furniture and product design, photography, film making, graphics and illustration, whose work is characteized by dark an surrel aspects of Nordic aesthetics .

When: 16-20 November 2010

Where: Galleri Duerr at Fantasihuset Vanadisvägen 29, Stockholm

For further information:

Merilyn Keskula
Project manager, London
Tel: +44 (0) 7979 021393 (UK)
Email: merilyn@beingkeskula.com

State Visit to Sweden on 18–20 January 2011

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:55:46 GMT

The President of the Republic of Estonia Toomas Henrik Ilves will pay a State Visit to Sweden on 18–20 January 2011 at the invitation of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf. The President will be accompanied by his wife, Mrs Evelin Ilves.

The Estonian official delegation will also include representatives of the government, parliament and business community.

The visit is intended to deepen and intensify the already excellent relations between Sweden and Estonia. The programme will include meetings with Speaker of the Riksdag Per Westerberg, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Swedish business leaders. Visits to Enköping and Uppsala are also part of the programme.

Estonian and Swedish Foreign Ministers Consider Participation in Nordic Battle Group Good Example of Close Co-operation

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:37:17 GMT

At their meeting in Stockholm today, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt confirmed both Estonia and Sweden’s participation in the European Union Nordic Battle Group in the first half of 2011. Estonia will participate in the battle group with 50 soldiers. Paet stated that comprehensive and close co-operation with Sweden is important to Estonia. “Sweden and Estonia are participating together in the stabilisation of Afghanistan, and we share the viewpoint that international contributions must continue until Afghanistan no longer poses a threat to the rest of the world,” he added.

The foreign ministers also spoke about European Union-Russia relations. Paet and Bildt confirmed their support for Russia joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO). “We still must resolve the border-crossing queue problem,” Paet added. In talking about the upcoming Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) summit, Paet and Bildt both felt that the OSCE must seriously address Georgia’s territorial integrity and matters related to the Transnistria and Nagorno-Karabakh frozen conflict. The ministers also expressed Estonia and Sweden’s support for the continuation of European Union enlargement negotiations with Turkey and Iceland and the conclusion of negotiations with Croatia.

Estonia and Sweden are also preparing a visa representation agreement, according to which Sweden would start representing Estonia for the issuing of visas in the Republic of South Africa and Cuba.

Foreign Minister Paet will also meet today with European Union Affairs Minister Birgitta Ohlsson. During his visit, the minister also plans to meet with the Estonian community in Stockholm.

SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE
+372 637 7654
pressitalitus@mfa.ee

Ryanair Announces First Estonian Routes

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:00:39 GMT

Ryanair, the world’s favourite airline, today (30^th Sept) announced its first Estonian flights from Tallinn, the capital city, with seven routes to Dublin, Dusseldorf (Weeze), Edinburgh, London (Luton), Milan (Bergamo), Oslo (Rygge) and Stockholm (Skavsta) from December 2010, which will see Ryanair carry 300,000 passengers p.a. through Tallinn, creating and sustaining 300 local jobs.

Ryanair celebrated its first Estonian routes by releasing 1 million €7seats for travel on over 500 routes across its European network in late October and November which are available for booking on www.ryanair.com until midnight tonight (30^th Sept). Ryanair’s seven new Tallinn routes go on sale tomorrow (1^st Oct) on Ryanair.com.

Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said:

“Ryanair is pleased to announce our first seven Estonian routes which will commence in December and offer Tallinn passengers really low fares for the first time. Ryanair’s Tallinn routes will deliver 300,000 passengers p.a. and sustain 300 local jobs. Estonian consumers/visitors can now beat the recession and escape the high fares charged by Estonian Air and Air Baltic by choosing Ryanair’s lowest fares and our no fuel surcharge guarantee.

“To celebrate the opening of our first Estonian routes we are releasing 1 million €7 seats for travel in late October and November on 500 routes which are available for booking today on www.ryanair.com. Ryanair’s new routes from Tallinn start from December.”

RYANAIR’S SEVEN TALLINN ROUTES

New	Start
Dublin	14^th Dec
Dusseldorf Weeze	13^th Dec
Edinburgh	10^th Jan
London (Luton)	10^th Jan
Milan (Bergamo)	16^th Dec
Oslo (Rygge)	13^th Dec
Stockholm (Skavsta)	13^th Dec

http://www.ryanair.com/ie/news/ryanair-announces-first-estonian-routes

Baltic Sea Festival

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:09:30 GMT

The 8th Baltic Sea Festival in Stockholm will take place from Monday August 23 to Thursday September 2, 2010.

Programme and more information, please look at:
www.balticseafestival.com
www.berwaldhallen.se

Tickets:

Berwaldhallen, the ticket office:
tel.: 08-784 18 00
fax: 08-663 15 14
e-mail: biljettkontoret.berwaldhallen@sr.se

Estonia now has its sixth Honorary Consul in Sweden

Tue, 18 May 2010 18:38:56 GMT

Monday, 17 May, Minister of Economics and Communications Juhan Parts and Estonian Ambassador to Sweden Alar Streimann opened the Estonian Honorary Consulate in Karlstad, Sweden. The Estonian honorary consul in Karlstad is Lars-Åke Johan Brännström.

With the opening of this honorary consulate, Estonia would like to further intensify ties between Estonia and Sweden in economic, tourism and cultural areas. This is Estonia’s sixth honorary consulate in Sweden, located near the Norwegian border about 300 km from Stockholm. Karlstad, a famous centre of forestry, paper, cellulose and engineering, is also known for its IT development.

Through the co-operation of Honorary Consul Brännström and the Värmland Chamber of Commerce, a meeting between Minister of Economics and Communications Juhan Parts and the local businessmen and members of the chamber of commerce will take place in Karlstad today. Minister of Economics and Communications Parts will also visit the Ilon Wikland exhibit on display in the Värmland Museum until 20 May and meet with the author herself.

The consular area of Honorary Consul Lars-Åke Brännström is Värmland County, and he himself is located in Karlstad. The honorary consulate is located at Södra Kyrkogatan 11, 652 24 Karlstad, Sweden and the honorary consul can be reached by phone at +46 (0) 70 580 23 37.

Honorary Consul Lars-Åke Brännström was born in 1955 in Gudmundrås and completed his master’s degree at Linköping Institute of Technology. Brännström is well-known and respected on the Swedish industrial landscape as well as in international business life. The honorary consul is the owner of the consultation firm Brannstrom AB and a member of the board of MEWAB Holding AB since 2008.

The honorary consul speaks Swedish, English and German.

Mr Juhan Parts, Mr Lars-Åke Brännström, Mr Alar Streimann

ESTONIA BIDDING TO HOST THE IT AGENCY IN THE FIELD OF JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:14:31 GMT

The Ministry of the Interior has submitted Estonia’s official proposal to host the Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice.

“Estonia is known for its innovative society and use of IT. Therefore, Estonia would be a perfect environment for the Agency,” said the Minister of the Interior Marko Pomerants. “Estonia´s candidacy follows the decision of the European Council from 2003 that new Member States should have the priority of hosting agencies. It is an important political commitment that ensures balance all over the Union,” Pomerants emphasised.

Estonia is willing to invest around 20 million EUR upon becoming the host for the Agency. This includes office premises in Tallinn and custom-built data centre for future developments in close proximity of the capital . The Government is also prepared to contribute to introducing the European School curricula and form a support team to assist establishment of the Agency.

According to Minister Pomerants, Estonia has always devoted a lot of attention to security. Tallinn already hosts NATO´s Cooperative Cyber Defence COE that manifests Estonia’s competence in the field of IT security and innovation. It would also be more cost-effective to have the headquarters and new data centres in the new Member State.

The Agency should become fully operational in 2012. The host country will be selected by the Council. Besides Estonia, only France has submitted its proposal to host the Agency.

Estonia’s proposal can be found at: http://www.siseministeerium.ee/itagency/

Estonia to reintroduce border control at its internal borders during the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:51:02 GMT

For security reasons, Estonia will reintroduce border control at its internal borders during the unofficial meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers from 17 – 23 April in Tallinn. To ensure the highest possible level of public policy and internal security, controls at the border will be introduced at Estonia’s border with Latvia and at ports and airports.

Border controls will be carried out in accordance with the Schengen Borders Code and State Borders Act.

Estonian Ambassador to Sweden Visits Headquarters of Nordic Battlegroup

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:32:10 GMT

Estonian Ambassador to Sweden Alar Streimann visited the headquarters of the European Union Nordic Battlegroup in Enköping on Wednesday, 17^th of February. Estonia participates along with Sweden, Finland, Norway and Ireland in the Nordic Battlegroup, which will be on standby during the first half of 2011.

The Ambassador met with Major General Anders Brännström (on the picture 1), Designated Operations Commander of the Battle Group; Brigadier General Stefan Andersson, Force Commander of the Battle Group; Colonel Mikael Frisell, Chief of Staff of the Force HQ BG11; Colonel Mikael Åkerström, Deputy Commander of the Signals Regiment, and discussed about the preparations for the standby period.

Sweden is the framework nation for the Nordic Battlegroup 2011. The Force Headquarters of the Nordic Battlegroup was established in 2009 and is responsible for planning and executing of the battle group activities.

Estonia is represented in the headquarter by Major Andres Noole; in April of this year Estonia will send three more staff officers to Enköping. Altogether Estonian contribution to the Nordic Battlegroup 2011 will be 50 troops.

Sweden is the framework nation of the Battle Group for the second time. The previous one was on standby during the first half of 2008 and at that time Estonia’s contribution was also 50 soldiers as well as one civilian advisor.

A reception organised by the Estonian Ambassador dedicated to the 92^nd anniversary of the Republic of Estonia also took place in Enköping. In his speech, the Ambassador spoke about the history of Estonia’s independence (picture 2).

Svjata Vatra at World Music Festival in Eskilstuna

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:37:45 GMT

From 21-25 October a World Music Festival organised by Eskilstuna district and the town of Västerås will be taking place. The Estonian ethnic music group Svjata Vatra will be performing there with the support of the Estonian Institute.

The World Music Festival will, alongside music, offer its guests dance, theatre, painting, film, poetry, and other types of cultural presentations.

The world music festival is an annual event with the goal of highlighting the distinctive cultural features and diversity of various cities and opening the doors to co-operation between areas of culture in order to show the strength that lies in being distinctive.

Svjata Vatra will perform on 23 October at 20.00 in the Eskilstuna Cultural Centre on the Lokomotivet main stage and on 24 October at 20.00 in the main hall of the Västerås Concert Hall.

Additional information:
http://www.myspace.com/svjatavatra
http://www.varldsmusikfestivalen.se