Estonia and the US

07.04.2010

The bilateral relations between Estonia and the United States of America (US) have been steady and strong ever since the Republic of Estonia restored its independence.

The US recognised the Republic of Estonia on 28 July 1922. The first Estonian diplomatic mission in the United States was opened in the same year. It continued its activities throughout the illegal occupation of Estonia by the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991. The US government recognised Estonia's diplomatic mission as the legal representative of the Republic of Estonia. The recognition of the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia has been the cornerstone of Estonian-US relations. The United States has never recognised the Soviet annexation.

The United States reopened its Embassy in Tallinn on 4 September 1991, soon after the restoration of Estonia's de facto independence on 20 August 1991. Since then, the development of relations between the two countries has been constructive and stable.

The Ambassador of the United States during the years 2004-2006 was Aldona Wos, followed by Stanley Davis Phillips during years 2007-2009.The Current Ambassador of the United States Michael C. Polt presented his credentials to President Toomas Hendrik Ilves on 10 December 2009.

The Estonian Ambassador to the United States as of September 2007 is Väino Reinart. The previous Estonian Ambassador was Jüri Luik from 2003 to 2007. Estonia has Consulate General in New York, where Consul General is Jaanus Kirikmäe. Estonia in the United States is represented by the following honorary consuls: Jaak Treiman in Los Angeles with the consular district of California, Paul Aarne Raidna in Seattle covering the state of Washington, Eric Harkna in Chicago, Illinois, Irja Cilluffo in Portsmouth with a consular district including New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Floyd Richard Drake in Houston with a consular district of Texas.

As a result of its global political and economic impact, the United States is one of Estonia’s most important partners. The bilateral relations are strong, which is corroborated by the dialogue between the countries in several matters of great importance to Estonia as well as to the United States. Beside the political dialogue, the bilateral relations between Estonia and the United States are characterized by efficient practical co-operation in the areas of state defence, international fight against terrorism as well as crime prevention. In regional issues, a close dialogue is taking place in the framework of EPINE.

As of 29 March 2004, Estonia is a member state of NATO, which signifies a strengthened allied relationship between Estonia and other members of the alliance, including the United States.

The decision to accept Estonia as a member of NATO was made at the NATO summit in Prague in 2002. The role of the United States in shaping and approving this decision was decisive. The Senate unanimously ratified Estonia’s accession to NATO on 8 May 2003.

In addition to direct security policy aspects, the economic co-operation between the two countries is continuously gaining importance.

The two countries enjoy vibrant bilateral relations, which is evidenced by frequent high-level visits.

Visits and Meetings

Agreements

The range of agreements signed between Estonia and the United States is very broad, comprising agreements in many areas. On the basis of the signed agreements, a steady and efficient co-operation is prevalent.

• Agreement on Extradition of Criminals (came into force 15 Nov 1924);
• Supplementary Agreement to the Agreement on Extradition of Criminals (came into force 7 May 1935)
• Bilateral Investment Incentive Agreement (came into force 28 Oct 1991);
• Agreement on Trade and Investment Relations (came into force 17 Sep 1992);
• Agreement on Fishing in the Waters of the United States of America (came into force 28 Dec 1992);
• Agreement on the Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investments (came into force 16 Feb 1997);
• A Charter of Partnership Between the United States of America, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania (came into force 16 Jan 1998);
• Bilateral Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (came into force 30 Dec 1999);
• Memorandum between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia and the United States Department of State treating the automation of the export licensing system of Estonia (came into force 30 Dec 1999)
• Bilateral Agreement Concerning Security Measures for the Protection of Classified Military Information (came into force 23 Feb 2000);
• Bilateral Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (came into force 20 Oct 2000);
• Agreement Regarding Employment of Family Members of Diplomats in the Country of Assignment of the Diplomat (came into force 22 Nov 2000);
• Agreement on Law Enforcement (came into force 26 Jun 2003);
• Agreement on the Protection and Preservation of Certain Cultural Values (came into force 22 Jul 2003).
• Protocol to the Treaty for the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment (came into force 10 Aug 2004)
• Amendment to the Letter of Agreement on Law Enforcement concluded on 26 June 2003 (came into force 24 Sep 2004)
• Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Estonia on Enhancing Co-operation in Preventing and Combating Serious Crime (came into force 15.11.2008, except articles 8-10)
• Extradition Treaty between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of the United States of America (came into force 07.04.2009)
• Agreement on research and technology co-operation (came into force 26.10.2009)
• Treaty between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of the United States of America on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (came into force 01.02.2010)

In November of 2008, the USA’s Visa Waiver Programme expanded to include Estonia, which allows Estonian citizens to travel to the USA with few formalities like other nations chosen by the USA.

Regional co-operation

EPINE (Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe), the framework for cooperation between the USA and the Nordic and Baltic states, was created in 2003. It essentially replaced the previous cooperation frameworks of the NEI (Northern European Initiative) and USA-Baltic charter after the Baltic states were accepted into NATO and the EU. The main goal of cooperation between nations with similar values (NB8+USA) is increasing the successfulness of freedom, security and economy in the region and in its surrounding neighbourhoods (in Moldova, Ukraine, Southern Caucasia and Belarus). EPINE cooperation focuses on the following areas:

• Security issues, which involves cooperation in counterterrorism and the fight against weapons of mass destruction, but also in NATO, PfP programs, and the OSCE.
• Questions of economic policy, primarily in strengthening investments, goods exchange and business connections, and also coordinating development cooperation.

Within the framework of EPINE, meetings of NB8+USA political leaders and development cooperation experts generally take place twice a year. For all parties involved, EPINE has become a highly valued meeting format with an open and honest atmosphere.

Defence co-operation

In defence policy and military matters, the United States is at the forefront of Estonia’s most important partners. Bilateral defence co-operation with the USA includes many different sectors, ranging from joint participation in operations to training and procurement projects. The legal basis for bilateral defence co-operation between Estonia and the United States was laid down in the memorandum on co-operation in defence and military relations between the Defence Ministries signed in 1995. In 2000, the intergovernmental agreement for the protection of classified military intelligence was signed. In 2002, the intergovernmental agreement on the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and on the development of defence and military relations was signed. In the summer of 2008, an agreement was signed that regulates the logistics support conditions of joint military exercises and operations (an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, or ACSA). The previous ACSA accord between Estonia and the United States was concluded in 1998 for a period of 10 years.

The main consultative organ for bilateral defence related co-operation is the bilateral working group (BWG) at the level of the Defence Ministries, which have convened annually since 1997. In addition to the bilateral meetings, meetings also take place between the three Baltic States and the USA. Additionally, since 2009 Estonia has initiated consultations in concrete areas, such as Afghanistan, defence planning, and the NATO strategic concept.

Bilateral military co-operation with the United States covers many different areas from joint participation in peacekeeping operations in Iraq to military environmental related projects in Estonia. The USA is one of Estonia’s most important partners in international operations, especially in Afghanistan.

Training-related co-operation between the Baltic states and the USA has taken place with varying degrees of activity since the middle of the 1990s. One promising area of co-operation is cyber security. The US Navy sent one of its experts to the CCD COE.

The United States is an active participant in Baltic regional defence co-operation. At the moment, the main project in which the USA is participating is BALTDEFCOL (Baltic Defence College). In 2009 two instructor positions at BALTDEFCOL are being filled by Americans, and in addition, the dean of the college is American. There is one officer from the US Army participating in the senior staff officer course (JCGSC) in 2009/2010. Soon an exchange programme between the air forces of the USA and Estonia will begin, within the framework of which Estonia will send one air force member to be an instructor at Air University in Maxwell Air Force Base and the Americans will send one air force instructor to BALTDEFCOL.

In recent years, the United States has supported the development of Estonia’s Defence Forces; the most extensive assistance programmes are the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and the International Military Education and Training (IMET) programmes. Since 1995 over 40 million USD have been allocated to Estonia from FMF funds, which have helped Estonia procure means of communication, marine radars, serviceman’s equipment, four Robinson-44 helicopters, etc.

Within the framework of IMET, various types of schooling and training are offered to the representatives of defence structures both in US educational institutions and in Estonia. Until now, Estonia has focused on the professional and technical training of junior officers and on the training of mid to high-ranking officers. In addition, specialty courses have recently been attended in the framework of the IMET that address military police, engineers, intelligence, communications, logistics, and air force. Financially, about one million dollars per year has come to Estonia through IMET.

Until 1996, the US defence attaché assigned to Estonia resided in Helsinki. The army and air force attachés also resided in Helsinki, but starting in 2007 the army attaché resides in Estonia. Since November 2008 the USA defence attaché is Commander Kip Henderson and since June 2009 the army attaché is Lieutenant Colonel Robert Schaefer. The Estonian defence attaché in the USA has been Colonel Meelis Kiili since February 2008.

Economic relations

The United States is a important economic partner for Estonia. The global operating of enterprises with the US origin and increasingly internationalizing supply chains often mean that the end consumer of an electronics component or device meant for some European country may well be in the United States.

Estonia and the US have co-operated in the field of oil shale since 2001.

Economic agreements

All major economic agreements have been concluded between Estonia and the US:

• Bilateral Investment Incentive Agreement (came into force 28 Oct 1991);
• Agreement on Trade and Investment Relations (came into force 17 Sep 1992);
• Agreement on Fishing in the Waters of the United States of America (came into force 28 Dec 1992);
• Agreement on the Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investments (came into force 16 Feb 1997);
• Bilateral Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (came into force 30 Dec 1999);
• Agreement between the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Estonia on the funding of the Tallinn Port security assistance project. (signed on 21 September 2006)

In the areas in the European Union’s competence, Estonia’s economic relations with the US are also regulated by agreements concluded between the EU and the US, the list of which is available at www.consilium.europa.eu/

Trade

The importance of the USA in bilateral trade relations with Estonia has grown from year to year since the restoration of Estonia’s independence.

The US was Estonia’s 9th trade partner in the first half of 2009 (with 3.1% of Estonia’s total trade turnover). Estonian export to the United States in the first half of 2009 totalled 2.2 billion kroons (207 million USD) and import was 1 million kroons (95.4 million USD), meaning that in comparison to the same period, export decreased by 22.3% and import by 1.4%.

Estonia's primary exports to the USA are:

• Mineral fuels
• Manufactured goods
• Machinery and equipment
• medical and measurement apparatuses

Estonia's primary imports from the USA are:

• Machinery and equipment
• Transport vehicles
• Mineral products
• Photographic, medical and measurement apparatuses

INVESTMENTS

According to the Bank of Estonia, as of 31.03.2009 the total of US direct investments in Estonia was 2.5 billion kroons, which means 1.4% of all investments come from the USA. 38% of this total went to real estate and business, 27% to financial intermediation, 20% to the manufacturing industry, and 10% to wholesale and retail trade.

According to Bank of Estonia data, as of 31.03.2009 Estonia’s direct investments in the USA totalled 133.5 million kroons, of which 50% went to real estate and business activity and 32% to financial intermediation. Smaller amounts have been invested in the manufacturing industry, the building sector, wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants, and education.

TOURISM

There is still much room for development in tourism relations between Estonia and the USA. The number of America tourists staying overnight in Estonian accommodation establishments grew by leaps and bounds in 2004, after Estonia joined the European Union (a growth of 50% compared to the year before). Over the following years the number of Americans staying in accommodation establishments has gradually increased, reaching 22.1 thousand in 2007. The year 2006 saw significant growth (about 40%) in the number of one-day visitors from the United States, which was connected to the increased number of cruise tours. In 2008 the number of Americans who spent the night in Estonia was 19 185, a reduction of 13% from 2007. In the first half of 2009, 6 712 American tourists have had overnight stays in Estonia.

Many Estonians travel to America independently to visit their friends or relatives. Finding short-term work or studying in the USA is also popular. Tourism relations will surely develop more rapidly thanks to the implementation of the USA Visa Waiver Programme with Estonia in November 2008. In 2008, travel agencies sent 19 706 travellers to the USA, and in the first half of 2009 they sent 5 549.

Cultural relations

Estonian culture has been introduced by many actors, artists and musicians in the United States. Artistic director and head conductor of the Estonian National Symphonic Orchestra Neeme Järvi has been the chief conductor of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and has also participated for many years in the work of the New York Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. For the last few years, Neeme Järvi’s son Paavo Järvi has been conducting the Cincinnati and Chicago symphony orchestras; the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has also been conducted by Eri Klas. Performances of Erkki-Sven Tüür’s music are becoming increasingly more frequent in the USA. The works of composer Arvo Pärt are also appreciated and respected in the United States.

The folk, spiritual and awakening-era songs of Estonian composers (G. Ernesaks, R. Tobias, A. Pärt, V. Tormis, E. Tubin) have been presented to US audiences by both Estonia’s and America’s best mixed choirs. Famous American musicians and ensembles like Kenny Garret and the Victor Bailey Group, Chicago Beau, Brian Melvin, Mike Stern, Joey DeFrancesco Trio and Terry Lyne Carrington Group have performed in Estonia’s largest annual jazz festival Jazzkaar. Within the past few years, jazz composer and pianist Kristjan Randalu has given concerts together with his Czech colleague drummer Bodek Janke in Washington and New York.

Because of the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the cultural programme in 2008 was more active than usual. It began with a concert tour by Tõnu Naissoo’s music group, which was followed by performances by the folklore ensemble Paabel at the Baltic Gala and the UN Indigenous Issues Forum and by a successful concert tour (11 concerts) by the Estonian Chamber Choir and Tallinn Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Tõnu Kaljuste. The anniversary year was completed with the traditional Christmas concert by Estonian soloists in Washington, New York and Annapolis. The Christmas concert has created its own niche in the rich cultural life of two American metropolises, and the embassy hopes that it will become a long-standing tradition.

The most important event of the year was the successful run of the documentary “The Singing Revolution” in American cinemas. The film’s run in the USA lasted almost 400 days and it was seen by over 100 000 US residents in over 200 cities; out of 115 documentaries it ranked 22nd. The Estonian documentary “Headwind Hall” (“Vastutuulesaal”) was shown in Washington. Of feature films, “Class” was shown at the 11th Brooklyn Film Festival, where the film’s director and screenwriter Ilmar Raag won the award for best screenplay. In the fall, the North American premier of the film “I Was Here” (“Mina olin siin”) took place within the framework of the North American EU Film Festival.

The Estonian conductors Eri Klas (Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra) and Neeme Järvi (New Jersey Symphony Orchestra) performed in the United States. The music of Arvo Pärt and Erkki-Sven Tüür was performed in many concert halls. There were also presentations of music (folklore ensembles Heinavanker and Ro-Toro), theatre productions (RAAM’s production of “Sõdur” and Sasha Pepelyav’s troupe Apparatus’ production of “Uksed”), photography (the works of Annika Haas at Fotoweek DC), ceramics (personal exhibitions of Sergei Isupov and Kadri Pärnamets in Pittsfield), and paintings (exhibits by Marit Murkka and Diana Arkhi at the Agora Gallery in New York).

The first half of 2009 was also rich with Estonian cultural events. The US tour of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra took place in the spring, and the US tour of the Kalev Chamber Choir took place in the summer. Estonian painters Nelly Drell and Jaanika Peerna participated in personal and group exhibitions in New York. In addition, Veiko Õunpuu’s film “Autumn Ball” (“Sügisball”) and Artur Talvik’s documentary “Headwind Hall” (“Vastutuulesaal”) were screened in the USA. In April Estonian Culture Days took place in New York where, among other things, Andrus Kivirähk’s comedy “Meri and Orav” (“Meri ja Orav”) was performed.

Estonians in the US

The formation of an Estonian-speaking and culturally active community in America began in the beginning of the 20th century. The community saw its largest expansion in the mid-20th century, after the tragic events of World War II. Refugees were often helped by those who were already there. They constituted a new wave of Estonians, larger than any in the past. Their stand for Estonia’s freedom and the way they constantly had to explain their origins and situation stengthened the community and helped them to preserve their heritage. The third wave of Estonians of the 20th century hit the USA in the 1990s.

According to the 2000 United States Census, 25,034 persons of Estonian ancestry live in the United States. Due to the methodology of the survey, this number reflects the number of people who chose to indicate their Estonian origins in the population registry. To that number 1,461 (as of January 2006) Estonian citizens living in the United States either permanently or temporarily can be added. The traditional centers of residence and culture for Estonians are situated on the East Coast (New York, New Jersey), in Mid-West, Chicago, around Lake Michigan and on the West Coast.

There are 22 Estonian Societies functioning in the United States currently, along with choirs, church congregations, alliances and Estonian Houses. Altogether there are over 100 organisations. The oldest Estonian Educational Society is the Detroit Estonian Educational Society „Kodu”, which was created on 17 October 1926 by 25 enterprising Estonians and still functions today. A few years later, on 7 December 1929, the New York Estonian Educational Society was established, and it continues its activities in the New York Estonian House. Most of the Estonian Houses were purchased in the 50s and 60s by the regional organisations. Other than New York, these centres of Estonian language and culture also exist in Baltimore, Chicago, Lakewood and Los Angeles. Estonian newpapers or other periodicals are published in many states. The largest Estonian-language newspaper is Vaba Eesti Sõna (Free Estonian Word), published in New York. The Estonian language is taught in Indiana University (since 1970), where it is also possible to study Baltic history (beginning in 1918) and Estonian culture and civilization. The Estonian language is also taught at Washington University. The most famous Estonian choir is the New York Estonian Men’s Choir, which was established in 1950. Estonian literature that has been published in the United States is covered in the series „Estonian Literature in Exile in the 20th Century” (Eesti Kirjandus Paguluses XX Sajandil).

On 19 July 1952, the regional Estonian organisations came together under the Estonian American National Council (Eesti Rahvuskomitee Ühendriikides—ERKÜ). Until 1991, the goal of the organisation was to restore Estonia’s freedom. In recent years, its activities have focused on strengthening the vitality of the Estonian language and culture in America by supporting student and cultural exchanges and youth camps. Estonians in the USA often celebrate traditional Estonian holidays together and organise fun and relaxing summertime gatherings or cultural events. A good example of a multifaceted Estonian event in America is the program from this year’s 28th West Coast Estonian Days.

In 1961, the national organisations of the Baltic States in America formed the Joint Baltic American National Council (JBANC) in order to increase the efficiency of their efforts for restoring independence and to bring more attention to the lack of human rights and democracy in the Balic states. Today the organisation helps to support national interests of the Baltic states by exchanging information and by organising economic and security policy conferences and seminars.