Today 23 January marks a hundred years from the day Türkiye recognised the Republic of Estonia de jure.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the depth of the relations between the countries is evident in the fact that Türkiye never recognised the occupation of Estonia by the Soviet Union. “The celebration of a century of diplomatic relations contributes to continuing to deepen our cooperation in the future.”
Tsahkna added that Estonia, a fellow NATO Ally, highly values both bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Türkiye. “We consider Türkiye’s role in ensuring security in our region crucial.”
The envoys of Estonia and Türkiye signed an agreement of friendship as early as 1 December 1924. On 11 May 1929, the first Turkish envoy was accredited to Estonia, residing in Riga. On 19 September 1935, Nuri Batu, the first envoy of Türkiye residing in Estonia, presented his credentials to State Elder Konstantin Päts. Estonia opened its Consulate General in Istanbul as early as 1929 (operated until 1932).
On 23 October 1991, diplomatic relations were restored when the Turkish Ambassador to the Soviet Union Volkan Vural and Estonian Foreign Minister Lennart Meri signed the agreement on the restoration of diplomatic relations. On 26 February 2001, the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia was opened in Ankara and on 1 October the same year, the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye was opened in Tallinn.
The timeline of the diplomatic relations between Estonia and Türkiye.
