Israel’s new embassy in Tallinn, Estonia was officially opened on Tuesday by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on a diplomatic visit.
Israel and Estonia have maintained 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 when Tallinn was bombed in 1944. It was fully destroyed in 1947.
Sa’ar met with his Estonian counterpart, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, and held a joint press conference ahead of the opening. Tsahkna called the opening a historic milestone in relations between the two countries. He added that the establishment of the embassy would mark a deeper cooperation between Europe and the Middle East.
He reiterated Estonia’s support of a two-state solution and Israel’s right to defend itself under international law.
Both Israel and Estonia are small nations 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 ties,” Sa’ar said during the press conference.
“Israel and Estonia have many things in common. Estonia is a small nation that faces threats; Israel is a small nation as well.
“We had to fight – from our inception until today – against countries larger than ourselves. Against terrorist armies that seek our elimination. We are both nations of democracy and innovation,” he added.
In his remarks, Sa’ar noted a recent alleged attempt by Iran to assassinate the Israeli ambassador in Mexico.
“It’s not the only place they tried to do it,” Sa’ar said, continuing, “And from here, I want to send a message that will be heard from Tallinn to Tehran: Iran constantly targets 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 continued investment in friendly efforts between Israel, Estonia, and other friendly countries.
During a meeting with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Sa’ar requested that the current travel advisory for Estonia to Israel be lifted, and he accepted the request.