Australia–Estonia relations
Estonia |
Australia |
---|---|
Diplomatic mission | |
Embassy of Estonia, Canberra | Embassy of Australia, Stockholm |
Envoy | |
Ambassador Kersti Eesmaa | Ambassador Genevieve Clune |
Foreign relations exist between Australia and Estonia. Australia first recognised Estonia on 22 September 1921.[1] Australia was among the first countries to re-recognise Estonia's independence on 27 August 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on 21 November 1991.[1]
Australia is represented in Estonia through a part-time embassy (since 2018) and Honorary Consulate in Tallinn (since 1995). Estonia has had an embassy in Canberra since 18 February 2015, which is also responsible for relations with New Zealand, Indonesia and ASEAN, and also has Honorary Consulates in every state capital.[2][3]
History
Relations during the Soviet occupation
With the Soviet
By March 1949, in a Senate debate on the United Nations General Assembly's Third Session, the Minister for Health and Social Services, Senator Nick McKenna, noted the status quo of the situation:[15]
"The Australian Government has not recognized, and does not intend to recognize, the absorption into the Soviet Union of the formerly independent republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The Australian Government believes that these accessions by the Soviet Union cannot be said to have been made as a result of the clearly expressed wish of the people of those countries. I draw the attention of the Senate to the action of the Minister for Immigration (Mr. Calwell) some time ago when a request was made on behalf of Soviet Russia that nationals of those countries should register in Australia as members of the Soviet Republic. The Senate will recall that an announcement was made that they were under no obligation to do that, and that if they cared to do so it would be of their own volition and not as the result of any pressure on the part of this Government or of any obligation the Australian Government felt was cast upon them. However, the absorption of those countries by Soviet Russia is an accomplished fact. I doubt whether this or any other Government could take action that would result in a change being effected in the foreseeable future."
In March 1970 the Minister for External Affairs in the Gorton Government, William McMahon, noted in Parliament: "The legal position is that Australia has never withdrawn recognition from the Governments of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania which were forced into exile by the U.S.S.R.'s invasion and occupation of those States in 1940. Australia has not explicitly extended recognition to any particular Government which may regard itself as a successor to one of those Governments which Australia recognised in 1940."[16] Australia was the only Western country to break ranks and briefly recognise the Soviet annexation of Estonia (and the other Baltic states) as de jure for 17 months between July 1974 to December 1975 by the Whitlam Labor government, while most other countries continued to recognise the independent Estonian diplomatic missions.[17][18] In explaining the change of position, the Minister for Repatriation and Compensation and prominent critic of Soviet foreign policy, Senator John Wheeldon, noted to the Senate in September 1974:[19]
"What is the situation with regard to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia which are or were three of the Baltic states? Their incorporation in the Soviet Union is one of the most shameful acts in modern European history. It was something which took place as a result of a disgraceful, shameful and discreditable treaty signed in Moscow in 1939 between Stalin and Ribbentrop, the then nazi Foreign Minister. [...] At the present time one of the most important problems facing the whole of the world's people is to bring about what for some mysterious reason - I have never quite known why - is called détente, a relaxation, an end to the cold war, a certain amount of give and take by the two major sides in the present world conflict. One of the things that has to be done in order to bring that about is to face a number of realities and some of those realities are unpalatable. There has to be some recognition of the fact that whether we like it or not or anyone else likes it or not, or whether it is just or unjust- and I believe it is unjust and I do not like it - Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have been incorporated into the Soviet Union. To continue to say they are not part of the Soviet Union while the Soviet Government and I daresay a majority of the Soviet people believe that they are is something which lessens opportunities for bringing about peaceful settlements with the Soviet Union, and peaceful settlements with the Soviet Union are essential."
Following the election of the new conservative Coalition government of
Relations after 1991
As part of a significant expansion of Australian Honorary Consulates, Foreign Minister
In July 1998 Estonian Prime Minister
In 2015, Australia and Estonia signed a new social security agreement.
Australian Ambassadors
Estonian Ambassadors
Name | Residency | Start of term | End of term | References |
Peeter Miller | Tokyo, Japan | 25 October 2007 | 21 June 2010 | [26][40] |
Andres Rundu | Tallinn, Estonia | 21 June 2010 | 30 July 2012 | [41] |
Andres Unga | Jakarta, Indonesia | 30 July 2012 | 18 February 2015 | [42][43] |
Canberra, Australia | 18 February 2015 | 26 February 2019 | ||
Kersti Eesmaa | 7 August 2019 | present | [44][45] |
Migration
The first Estonians settled in Australia in 1853 and the first Estonian Society was established in
Australia is host to one of the largest communities of Estonians abroad, with 8,232 people identifying as Estonian in the 2006
Cultural and educational
Estonian culture has been presented in Australia by many Estonian artists and musicians, including the
Economic
Trade between Australia and Estonia was a modest A$ 60 million in 2013–14.[1] Merchandise trade between Australia and Estonia has been unstable, partly due to a big distance between the countries. Estonia's biggest import are alcoholic beverages (wines) and Australia's are wood and wood products.[46]
Treaties
The following is a list of
- Early treaties were extended to Australia by the British Empire, however they are still generally in force.
- European Union treaties, extended to Estonia are not included below.
Entry into force | Topic | Title | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
1926 | Trade | Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (and on behalf of Australia, Canada, India, the Irish Free State, Newfoundland, New Zealand and South Africa) and Estonia regarding Tonnage Measurement of Merchant Ships, and Exchange of Notes | [51] |
1927 | Extradition | Extradition Convention between the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland and Estonia. | [52] |
1927 | Extradition | Exchange of Notes between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (and on behalf of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) and the Government of Estonia extending to Certain Mandated Territories the Extradition Convention of 18 November 1925 | [53] |
1933 | Civil law | Convention between the United Kingdom and Estonia regarding Legal Proceedings in Civil and Commercial Matters | [54] |
1994 | Trade | Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Estonia on Economic and Commercial Cooperation | [55] |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade about relations with Estonia". Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 12 July 2009. Retrieved 3 June 2009.
- ^ "Estonia to establish an embassy in Australia | Ministry of Foreign Affairs". Vm.ee. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
- ^ "Honorary Consuls in Australia and New Zealand". Estonian Embassy in Canberra. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ISBN 9781760462291. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ^ "CONSULS". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 38. Australia. 26 April 1928. p. 643. Retrieved 7 July 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "ESTONIAN CONSULATE". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 30, 518. New South Wales, Australia. 25 October 1935. p. 10. Retrieved 7 July 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "CONSULS". Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. No. 14. Australia. 23 January 1936. p. 124. Retrieved 7 July 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "CONSUL". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 57. Australia. 29 September 1938. p. 2292. Retrieved 7 July 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "CONSULS". Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. No. 23. Australia. 13 April 1939. p. 607. Retrieved 7 July 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ ""I FOUGHT REDS AND GERMANS"". The Sun. No. 1905. New South Wales, Australia. 1 October 1939. p. 7 (NEWS SECTION). Retrieved 7 July 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "CONSULS". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 41. Australia. 29 June 1939. p. 1175. Retrieved 7 July 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "CONSUL". Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette. No. 216. Australia. 24 October 1940. p. 2273. Retrieved 7 July 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Questions In Parliament". Labor Call. Victoria, Australia. 26 June 1941. p. 10. Retrieved 2 May 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "NEWS IN BRIEF". Great Southern Herald. Western Australia. 14 May 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 2 May 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ McKenna, Nicholas (17 March 1949). "Hansard - Parliamentary Debates - The Senate - United Nations General Assembly First Part of Third Annual Session, Paris, September December, 1948". ParlInfo. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
- ^ McMahon, William (17 March 1970). "Hansard - Parliamentary Debates - House of Representative - ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE - Electoral (Question No. 11)". ParlInfo. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
- ISBN 0-8315-0148-0
- ISBN 0-313-31878-6, pp135-151
- ^ Wheeldon, John (18 September 1974). "Hansard - Parliamentary Debates - The Senate - Censure of the Minister for Foreign Affairs". ParlInfo. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
- ISBN 0-521-63752-X, p259
- ^ Bob, Hawke (27 August 1991). "Govt. to establish full diplomatic relations with the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania" (Press release). Australian Government.
- ^ Blewett, Neal (20 September 1991). "Diplomatic Appointment – Sweden" (Press release). Australian Government.
- ^ Evans, Gareth (28 June 1995). "APPOINTMENT OF AUSTRALIAN HONORARY CONSUL TO TALLINN, ESTONIA". Australian Government. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ "Mr. Mati Peekma". Directory. Australian Government. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ "Australia, Estonia, establish working holiday maker program". Workpermit.com. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
- ^ a b "Estonian Ambassador to Australia Presents Credentials" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 30 November 2007.
- ^ a b "Estonia is establishing an embassy in Australia" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 4 December 2014.
- ^ "Foreign Minister Paet to Open First Estonian Diplomatic Representation in Australia" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 20 November 2011.
- ^ "Foreign Minister Urmas Paet: opening of a head consulate in Sydney strengthens relations with Australia" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 7 September 2011.
- ^ "The new Estonian Consul General in Sydney started working" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 19 August 2013.
- ^ Downer, Alexander (1 July 1998). "Visit to Australia by Prime Minister of Estonia" (Press release). Australian Government.
- ^ "Australia, Estonia to forge new deal". the Sydney Morning Herald. 20 April 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
- ^ "Estonia country brief - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade". dfat.gov.au. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
- ^ "Estonia: Australia to open its first pop-up embassy in Tallinn". The Baltic Times. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
- ^ "Foreign Minister Kaljurand opened the Estonian Embassy in Australia | Ministry of Foreign Affairs". Vm.ee. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
- ^ "Social Security Agreement between Australia and Estonia - Information Sheet | Department of Social Services, Australian Government". Dss.gov.au. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
- ^ "Australia to open 'pop-up embassy' in Estonian capital". Special Broadcasting Service. SBS News. 11 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- ^ Bishop, Julie (7 March 2018). "Pop up embassy opens in Estonia". Australian Government.
- ^ Ruehl, Mercedes (10 January 2020). "Wildfire crisis closes several embassies in Australia". Financial Times. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
- ^ Ilves, Toomas Hendrik (25 October 2007). "Decisions - President of the Republic appoints Estonian Ambassadors to Slovenia, Cyprus, Kazakhstan and Australia and New Zealand". President of the Republic of Estonia (in Estonian). Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ Ilves, Toomas Hendrik (21 June 2010). "Decisions - 695. Appointment of A. Rundu and recall of P. Miller". President of the Republic of Estonia (in Estonian). Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ "Eesti suursaadik Austraalias andis üle volikirja" (in Estonian). Välisministeerium. 28 March 2013.
- ^ Ilves, Toomas Hendrik (30 July 2012). "Decisions - 153. Appointment of A. Unga and recall of A. Rundu". President of the Republic of Estonia (in Estonian). Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ "The Governor-General's Program: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory". The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. Australian Government. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
- ^ "Estonian president appoints to office 6 ambassadors". The Baltic Times. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Australia". Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2009.
- ISBN 978-0-521-80789-0.
- ^ "Estonia country brief". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Australian Government.
- ^ "Koostöö TLÜ Pedagoogilise Seminari ja Austraalia Victoria Ülikooli vahel / Tallinna Ülikool". Tlu.ee. 27 January 2015. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
- ^ Alliance.org.au – Adelaide Symphony Orchestra acclaims Archived August 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (and on behalf of Australia, Canada, India, the Irish Free State, Newfoundland, New Zealand and South Africa) and Estonia regarding Tonnage Measurement of Merchant Ships, and Exchange of Notes. ATS 2 of 1926." Australasian Legal Information Institute, Australian Treaty Series. Retrieved on 15 April 2017
- ^ "Extradition Convention between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Estonia. ATS 4 of 1927." Australasian Legal Information Institute, Australian Treaty Series. Retrieved on 15 April 2017
- ^ "Exchange of Notes between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (and on behalf of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) and the Government of Estonia extending to Certain Mandated Territories the Extradition Convention of 18 November 1925. ATS 7 of 1927." Australasian Legal Information Institute, Australian Treaty Series. Retrieved on 15 April 2017
- ^ "Convention between the United Kingdom and Estonia regarding Legal Proceedings in Civil and Commercial Matters. ATS 3 of 1933." Australasian Legal Information Institute, Australian Treaty Series. Retrieved on 15 April 2017
- ^ "Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Estonia on Economic and Commercial Cooperation ATS 22 of 1994” Archived 8 February 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Australasian Legal Information Institute, Australian Treaties Library. Retrieved on 15 April 2017.