Estonia to increase diplomatic presence in Washington
The move is intended to make informing the new U.S. administration about Estonia's security policy positions more effective, and intensify economic contacts between the countries.
"We wish to strengthen our presence to inform the new U.S. leadership about the positions of Estonia on security policy, first and foremost when it comes to the necessity of transatlantic relations, to better convey messages about regional security, and to make a contribution to developing cooperation between the U.S. and the EU in connection with the upcoming presidency of the EU," Sten Juur, spokesman for the Estonian Foreign Ministry, told BNS on Friday.
"In cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications as well as Enterprise Estonia, we would also like to intensify economic interaction between Estonia and the United States. We also want to intensify public diplomacy, first and foremost interaction with think tanks and the media,” Juur added.
"The priorities and action plans of Estonian foreign policy in its interaction with the United States were presented at a meeting of the Cabinet in February, and detailed steps are due in the near future, if the government meets the requests of the Foreign Ministry," Juur said.
Foreign Minister Sven Mikser (SDE) said at the end of February that Estonia was planning to add personnel to its embassy in Washington.
"We have strengthened some of our missions abroad and we are definitely planning to further strengthen our mission in the United States," Mikser said. "We want to intensify both the work we are doing when it comes to the media, and the work we are doing with the numerous think tanks that are very influential in the U.S. capital, and also the work we are doing when it comes to the Administration and Congress,” Mikser added.
At present, 17 people work at the Estonian embassy in Washington.
Editor: Dario Cavegn
Source: BNS