Estonia lifts travel advisory on Israel as Gideon Sa’ar opens first embassy in Tallinn
Israel and Estonia have had diplomatic relations since 1992, with Gideon Sa’ar opening a new embassy in Estonia.
Israel’s new embassy in Tallinn, Estonia, was officially opened on Tuesday by visiting Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
Israel and Estonia have had diplomatic relations since 1992 and Estonia has had an embassy in Israel since 2009.
The embassy is located near the ruins of the city’s historic Great Synagogue. The synagogue was built in 1884 but was damaged during the bombing of Tallinn in 1944. It was completely destroyed in 1947.
Sa’ar met with his Estonian counterpart, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, and held a joint press conference before the opening. Tsahkna called this opening a historic milestone in relations between the two countries. He added that the establishment of the embassy would mark deeper cooperation between Europe and the Middle East.
He reiterated Estonia’s support for a two-state solution and Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law.
Israel and Estonia are small countries facing threats
“The opening of the embassy is a manifestation of our determination to strengthen relations between our countries at all levels: political, economic and people-to-people,” Sa’ar said at the press conference.
“Israel and Estonia have a lot in common. Estonia is a small nation facing threats; Israel is also a small nation.
“We have had to fight – from our creation until today – against countries bigger than us. Against terrorist armies who seek to eliminate us. We are both nations of democracy and innovation,” he added.
In his remarks, Sa’ar highlighted a recent alleged attempt by Iran to assassinate the Israeli ambassador to Mexico.
“This is not the only place where they have tried to do this,” Sa’ar said, continuing: “And from here, I want to send a message that will be heard from Tallinn to Tehran: Iran is constantly targeting Israel’s embassies, ambassadors and diplomats. We will not be deterred. On the contrary, we will continue to expand Israel’s relations around the world.”
Sa’ar pledged to continue investing in friendly efforts between Israel, Estonia and other friendly countries.
In a meeting with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Sa’ar requested that Estonia’s current travel advisory to Israel be lifted, and he agreed to the request.
