Estonian Foreign and Security Policy

Publications

Under Pressure: Nordic-Baltic Cooperation During the COVID-19 Crisis

Spring 2020 posed a test to the regional cooperation of the Nordic-Baltic region.

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Commentary

Putting Meat on the Bone: Foreign and Security Policy in the New Estonian Coalition Agreement

The coalition agreement of the new Estonian government formed by the Reform Party and the Centre Party contains few surprises when comparing the foreign-, security- and defence-policy-related commitments with the agreements of the previous coalitions that formed the governments in 2016–19 and 2019–21.

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Commentary

Liberal Estonia is Back—With Some Lessons Learned About Engaging with Radical Right-wing Populists

Coincidence or not, the Estonian government collapsed on 13 January, soon after the presidency of Donald Trump in the US made its violent turn towards an ugly end. During the past year and eight months, Estonia experimented with a coalition including radical right-wing populists. The experiment damaged Estonia’s international reputation and its relations with allies, put pressure on its democratic institutions, and increased polarisation within society.

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Commentary

How Does the Three Seas Initiative Help Estonia?

Estonia must find a balance between the US and Europe.

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Commentary

17+1 Cooperation Is Turning Sour: Shared Concerns Over China Can Help Repair the Transatlantic Relationship

Europe and the US have a number of common concerns caused by the rise of China that could help to repair transatlantic relations. Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries should invest in strengthening the EU’s unity and transatlantic cooperation vis-à-vis China rather than the 17+1 format.

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Publications

China’s Influence Activities in Estonia

China’s influence activities aim to create a positive image of China and to counter any kind of criticism.

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Commentary

A Tense Atmosphere in Foreign Relations: Estonia’s First Months As a Non-permanent Member of the Security Council

The pandemic made its mark on Estonia’s presidency of the UN’s top body.

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Commentary

Finland’s Slow-motion Recognition of Estonian Independence

How diplomatic relations were established 100 years ago.

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Commentary

The Coronavirus Crisis Has Brought New Realism to Estonian-Finnish Relations

In the Covid-19 crisis, the Finnish government took its decisions based on the national interest and considering the wellbeing of its citizens. This is how it would behave in possible future crises, which may be of a different nature. Estonia should avoid too high expectations of its northern neighbour.