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Estonia–New Zealand relations

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Estonia-New Zealand relations
Map indicating locations of Estonia and New Zealand

Estland
Neuseeland
Diplomatic mission
Estonian Embassy, Canberra, AustraliaNew Zealand Embassy, Warsaw, Poland
Envoy
Ambassador Kersti EesmaaAmbassador Alana Hudson

Estonia–New Zealand relations are the bilateral relations between Estonia and New Zealand.

Estonia and New Zealand maintain warm and developing relations. In a 2018 meeting with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, President Kersti Kaljulaid said "Estonia and New Zealand share similar values and are making active preparations for future challenges, ranging from digital society and artificial intellect to climate change". Estonia has expressed support for New Zealand's campaigns for the United Nations Security Council.[1] Similar support was received by Estonia for their campaign to the Council.[2].

The 20th Governor-General of New Zealand Sir Jerry Mateparae said that the two countries share similar commitments to innovation, rule of law, democratic governance, international security, and the development of human rights. Estonia and New Zealand worked together to help ensure peace and security in Afghanistan.[3]

According to a representative from the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2017, Estonia's relationship with New Zealand has improved in recent years.[2]

Kersti Eesmaa was appointed as the Estonian ambassador to New Zealand on 29 January 2020 and Mary Patricia Thurston has represented the New Zealand diplomatic mission to Estonia since 9 January 2018.[4]

Estonia is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.[4] New Zealand is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland.[5]

History

Bilateral relations have existed between the two countries since 1921.

New Zealand first recognised Estonia on 22 September 1921, two years after the Estonian Declaration of Independence, when Estonia joined the League of Nations. New Zealand again recognised Estonia on 28 August 1991 shortly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Soviet Occupation of Estonia. Diplomatic relations were then re-established on 6 January 1992.[4]

Like Australia, New Zealand was a destination for Estonian refugees following World War II. During the aftermath of the war, people from Estonia (and other Baltic states) were preferred by the New Zealand government over displaced persons from other countries. Between 1945 and 1956, the number of Estonians increased from 45 to 240.[6]

As of the 2018 census, there were 189 Estonians residing in New Zealand.[7] As of the 2021 census, there were 28 New Zealanders residing in Estonia.[8]

Areas of Co-operation

Both nations are members of the Australia Group, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Joint work between New Zealand and Estonia occurs in the areas of cyber-security and European Union-Pacific affairs. Through their status as a NATO partner country, New Zealand works closely with Estonia on cyber-security issues.[9] In 2014, New Zealand minister Amy Adams met with the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre in Tallinn.[10]

Estonia has sought to improve European and Pacific relations. Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative Rainer Saks attended a meeting of the Pacific Island Forum along with New Zealand and other Pacific Nations.[2]

There have also been discussions between education ministries on what New Zealand could learn from Estonia's progress in lifting educational acheivement.[11]

Trade

Graph shows total trade between New Zealand and Estonia between 2015 and 2022. Imports increased 702% and exports increased 186%.
New Zealand exports to Estonia and imports from Estonia between 2015 - 2022 in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).

For the year ended March 2022, New Zealand exports to Estonia totalled 5.7 million USD and Estonian exports to New Zealand totalled 11.69 million USD.[12] Notably, while Estonia produces a high proportion of consumed meat domestically, significant imports of lamb and mutton come from New Zealand.[13]

Trade between the two nations has grown markedly since 2015, with the sum value of imports and exports increasing over 370% from 4.69 million USD in 2015 to 17.38 million USD in 2022.

Trade relations between the two countries are governed by the EU's Common Commercial Policy.

Treaties

In 2007, a working holiday scheme was established between Estonia and New Zealand. This allows New Zealand and Estonian citizens aged 18-30 to stay and work in the other country for up to 12 months. This agreement came into force on 5 November 2007.[14] New Zealand is one of three other countries: Australia, Canada, and Japan, who have such agreements with Estonia.[15]

Official visits

Estonia-New Zealand Official Visits[5][9]
Dates Minister/Delegate Standort Reason
October 2018[1] President Kersti Kaljulaid Auckland, New Zealand To meet with Jacinda Ardern and discuss e-governance, statistics gathering, climate change, and UN Security Council issues.
October 2018 Minister for Government Digital Services Megan Woods Tallinn, Estonia To attend the Tallinn Digital Summit
March 2016[11] Minister for Education Hekia Parata Tallinn, Estonia To meet with Estonian Education and Research Minister Jürgen Ligi to learn about Estonia's progress in lifting educational achievement.
March 2016[16] Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand Neuseeland A joint delegation with the Finnish foreign minister and Estonian entreprenuers
April 2014[10] Minister for Communications Amy Adams Tallinn, Estonia To visit the NATO Cyber ​​Defense Center after the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian War

References

  1. ^ a b "Kersti Kaljulaid meets NZ prime minister in Auckland". ERR News. 2018-10-26. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  2. ^ a b c "Välisministeeriumi kantsler: Eesti suhted Uus-Meremaaga on viimastel aastatel elavnenud | Välisministeerium". www.vm.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  3. ^ "Estonian ambassador to New Zealand presents credentials". Postimees. 2013-03-20. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  4. ^ a b c "Estonia and New Zealand – Canberra". canberra.mfa.ee. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  5. ^ a b "Estonia". New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  6. ^ "Ukrainians and Baltic peoples". Te Ara. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatū Taonga. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  7. ^ "2018 Census ethnic group summaries | Stats NZ". stats.govt.nz. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  8. ^ "RLV428: RAHVASTIK RAHVUSE JA SOO JÄRGI (1959, 1970, 1979, 1989, 2000, 2011, 2021)". PX-Web. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  9. ^ a b "Uus-Meremaa | Välisministeerium". www.vm.ee. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  10. ^ a b "Paet: Uus-Meremaa on Eestile geograafiliselt kauge, kuid väärtustelt lähedane". Delfi (in Estonian). Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  11. ^ a b "Minister meets education experts in Estonia". The Beehive. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  12. ^ "New Zealand Trade Dashboard". statisticsnz.shinyapps.io. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  13. ^ "Estonian residents have started to consume more domestic meat | Statistikaamet". www.stat.ee. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  14. ^ "Eesti Vabariigi valitsuse ja Uus-Meremaa valitsuse töötamisõigusega turismi käsitlev kokkulepe–Riigi Teataja". www.riigiteataja.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  15. ^ "Application for a long-stay (D) visa | Välisministeerium". www.vm.ee. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  16. ^ "Kaubanduskoda viib sel aastal ettevõtjad Austraaliasse ja Uus-Meremaale". ERR (in Estonian). 2016-01-20. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
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