Paul Teesalu, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Acting Undersecretary for Political Affairs Paul Teesalu and Estonian Ambassador to Lebanon Marin Mõttus on Friday opened the Estonian Honorary Consulate in Beirut. The Estonian Honorary Consul in Beirut is Fouad Fadel.

Topics discussed at the political consultations between the Estonian and Lebanese foreign ministries on Thursday included bilateral relations, the situation in Syria and the Middle East in general, and Lebanese-EU relations. The Estonian delegation was led by Teesalu and the Lebanese delegation by Charbel Wehbi, ambassador and secretary general of the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Estonian delegation also met with UN relief agencies based in Beirut and visited Syrian refugee families.

At the ceremony opening the office of the honorary consul, Teesalu said that relations between Estonia and Lebanon are good and that opportunities for further development of these relations are available in a number of fields. "Our new honorary consul will be able to help with the mediation of contacts between businesses and support and advise Estonian citizens who may need consular help," Teesalu added.

The Estonian Honorary Consul in Lebanon, Fouad Fadel, was born in 1971 and is active in business. Fadel is one of the owners of the family business Fadel Group, which has been operating since 1936. Fadel is also the founder of the Foundation Fouad & Toufic, which is involved in healthcare and education.