Estonia–United States relations

Estonia-United States relations are bilateral relations between Estonia and the United States.

History

The relationship between Estonia and the United States of America has been constant and strong since Estonia first became independent. The United States and Estonia are important allies and partners.

The United States recognized the Republic of Estonia on July 28, 1922. The first Estonian diplomatic mission in the United States was opened in the same year. It continued its activities throughout the period of occupation by the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991. The U.S. Government recognized Estonia's diplomatic mission as a legal representative of the Republic of Estonia. Indeed, the recognition of the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia has been the cornerstone of Estonian-U.S. relations.

The U.S. reopened its Embassy in Tallinn on September 4, 1991, soon after the restoration of Estonia's independence on August 20, 1991. Relations between the two countries have since developed at a rapid pace. In November 2006, President George W. Bush became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Estonia. During the visit, he announced the administration's intention to work with the U.S. Congress to make changes to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, increasing security while facilitating entry for legitimate visitors and businesspeople from countries like Estonia.

President Bush nominated Stanley Davis Phillips at the end of 2006 to be Ambassador to Estonia. Vaino Reinart has been Estonia's Ambassador to the United States since September 2007. Estonia also is represented in the United States by a Consulate General in New York and four Honorary Consuls: Jaak Treiman in Los Angeles, Eric Harkna in Chicago, Irja Cilluffo in New Hampshire, and Paul Raidna in Seattle.

Principal U.S. officials include:
* Ambassador--Stanley Davis Phillips
* Deputy Chief of Mission--Karen Decker
* Head of Political/Economic Section--Jessica L. Adkins
* Management Officer--Frank Fulgham (acting)
* Legal Attaché--John Sylvester
* Consular Officer--Rodger Deuerlein
* Public Affairs Officer--Eric Johnson
* Defense Attaché--Commander Phil Enkema (USN)
* Chief of Office of Defense Cooperation--Major Mark Rydzynski

The U.S. Embassy in Estonia is located in Tallinn.

See also

* Foreign relations of the United States
* Foreign relations of Estonia

References

StateDept [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5377.htm]