BILATERAL RELATIONS

Bilateral diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Estonia

The Republic of Azerbaijan recognized the independence of the Republic of Estonia on the 6^th of December 1991. The Republic of Estonia recognized the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the 20^th of February 1992. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on the 20^th of April 1992.

Activities of the Embassies

The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Estonia was established on the 30^th of September 2009.

On the 11^th of October 2010 H.E.Tofig Zulfugarov was appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Estonia with residence in Tallinn.

On the 22^nd of February 2005 for the first time in the history of bilateral relations the then acting Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Republic of Turkey was concurrently accredited to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On the 26^th of August 2014 the diplomatic office of the Republic of Estonia in the Republic of Azerbaijan was opened. Currently, the head of the office is Mr. Andrei Valentinov. 

On the 3^rd of October 2019 Ms. Annely Kolk was appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Estonia to the Republic of Turkey, concurrently accredited to the Republic of Azerbaijan (credentials were presented on the 14^th of June 2021).

On the 26^th of July 2021 H.E. Anar Maharramov was appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Estonia (credentials were presented on the 26^th of August 2021).

High level visits

 Presidents

 To Azerbaijan

• 12-15 January 2009, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, official visit

To Estonia

• 6-8 April 2010, President Ilham Aliyev, state visit

Speakers and deputy speakers of Parliaments

To Azerbaijan

• 18-19 June 2007, deputy speaker Oyuland, working visit;
• 31 March – 3 April 2008, deputy speaker K.Oyuland, official visit;
• 18-20 June 2008, deputy speakerOyuland, working visit;
• 28 June – 1 July 2012, speaker Ergma, official visit;
• 23-24 October 2018, deputy speakerLaanet, official visit.

To Estonia

• 5-6 June 2006, speaker O.Asadov, working visit.
• 6-8 February 2022, speaker S.Gafarova, official visit.

Prime Ministers

To Azerbaijan

• 13-14 November 2008, Prime minister Ansip, working visit.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs      

To Azerbaijan

• 14-16 February 1996, minister Kallas;
• 01-03 March 2000, ministerH.Ilves;
• 12 June 2004, minister Oyuland;
• 29-30 October 2007, minister Paet;
• 12 June 2017, minister S.Mikser;
• 01 December 2017, minister S.Mikser.

To Estonia

• 24-25 April 2008, minister Mammadyarov

Intergovernmental Commission

The Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Estonia was established on the 21^st of November 2011.  

On the part of Azerbaijan, the Commission is co-chaired by the Minister of Digital Development and Transport Mr. R.Nabiyev. The composition and the co-chair of the Commission on the part of Estonia is appointed before the Meeting of the Commission.

The first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Estonia was held on the

28^th of June 2012 in Baku. The second meeting was held on the 29-30^th of September 2014 in Tallinn, the 3rd meeting was held on the 7th of April 2017 in Baku.

During the 3rd meeting of the Commission cooperation in the field of trade, economy, industry, energy, transport, communication and high technology, finance, custom, tax, agriculture, environment, science, education, labor, social, culture, tourism, sport as well as  Azerbaijan – EU relations were discussed.

Cooperation in humanitarian field 

The two countries enjoy growing bilateral humanitarian relations. Works of several Azerbaijani writers were translated into Estonian language. As a sign of historical relations between the two peoples, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Estonia, and friendly relations between the Surakhani district of Baku and the Kristiine district of Tallinn the friendship park was inagurated on the 11th of October 2018 in Tallinn.  

Relations in political sphere

The relations in political sphere between Azerbaijan and Estonia are steadily growing. With a view of conducting sustainable political dialogue between the countries, it is important to implement various bilateral meetings and visits between head of states, governments, parliaments as well as other official representatives.            

Interparliamentary relations

Parliamentary relations between the two countries are developing in a positive vein. On the 7th of September 2021 on the sidelines of the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held in Vienna the speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan Mrs.S.Gafarova had a meeting with the president of Estonian Parliament  Mr.J.Ratas.

On the 30th of October–4th of November 2021 the delegation led by the chairman of Estonia-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group visited Azerbaijan. During the visit the delegation hold meetings with the speaker of the Parliament of Azerbijan Mrs. S.Gafarova, the minister of foreign affairs Mr.Jeyhun Bayramov, the minister of digital development and transport Mr.Rashad Nabiyev, the head of the Azerbaijani-Estonian interparliamentary group Mrs. Jala Ahmadova, the head of Karabakh Revival Fund Mr.Rahman Hajiyev, also visited the liberated from occupation city of Aghdam. 

On the 6-8th of February 2022 the speaker of the Parliament of Azerbijan Mrs. S.Gafarova paid an official visit to Estonia. During the visit Mr.Gafarova held meetings with the president of the Estonian Parliament Mr.J.Ratas, the minister of foreign affairs Mrs. Eva-Maria Liimets, the President of the Republic of Estonia Mr. A. Karis, also attended the Electronic Estonia Briefing Centre in Tallinn. 

Documents adopted in the Parliament of Estonia (The Riigikogu) on Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijan-Estonia interparliamentary group, as a tradition since 2017 has been adopting special statement on the anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. The special statement is being adopted with the consent of each member of the interparliamentary group. On the 22nd of February 2022, the special statement on the 30th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was adopted by the interparliamentary group. The statement was issued on the official website of the Parliament in three languages (Estonian, English and Russian). The statement, in particular, reads:

“The Estonia-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) shares the pain of the people of Azerbaijan and expresses its deepest condolences on the 30th anniversary of the Khojaly massacre.

We strongly condemn the occupation of Khojaly on the night of 25–26 February 1992, during which more than 600 innocent civilians were killed, including many children, women and the elderly. The perpetrators of this mass murder must be brought to justice.

We believe that that all countries of the region have the right to sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as inviolability of internationally recognised borders. We wish all parties success in building up the region and call on close cooperation between different communities. We express our support for the efforts of the Republic of Azerbaijan towards lasting peace, integration, and development in the released territories”.

Cooperation in the economic field

According to data of the State Statistical Commitee of Azerbaijan, during the period of 11 months of 2021 the trade turnover between the two states amounted to $5.51 million US dollars. 

Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Estonia during the period of 2016-2021           

 Source: State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan

Business forums

Over the recent years business forums were held both in Baku and Tallinn. The last one was held in October 2018 in Baku.

Relationship in the sphere of education and science

On the 27-28th of October 2016 a delegation led by President of National Academy of Sciences Mr.A. Alizade visited the Republic of Estonia.  During the visit “Agreement on scientific cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan and the Academy of Sciences of Estonia” was signed. Currently, 199 Azerbaijani students study in Estonian educational centers.  

Contractual and legal framework

So far 22 documents have been signed between Azerbaijan and Estonia.