Стаття Посла України в Естонії Мар’яни Беци в естонському виданні Postimees з нагоди відзначення 30-ї річниці встановлення дипломатичних відносин між Україною та Естонією «Україна-Естонія: дружба міцніша, ніж будь-коли» про двосторонні відносини, російську агресію, Кримську платформу, євроатлантичні устремління України. 

The article of Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia Mariana Betsa on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Estonia "Ukraine-Estonia: friendship stronger than ever" on bilateral relations, Russian aggression, the Crimean platform, Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

On January 4, 2022, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Estonia. Ukraine-Estonia relationship now stands stronger than ever as we work together to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and forge Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic future.

Ukraine is proud of its great relationship with Estonia. As of now, we enjoy a true partnership, which has genuinely surged over the last years. 

This year was marked by a very intensive high-level political dialogue: we managed to hold a successful working visit of the President of Estonia to Ukraine, an official visit of Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas, working visits of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Eva-Maria Liimets and of the official delegation of Estonia headed by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Jonatan Vseviov. As a result of these visits we strengthened effective contacts between our leaders, governments and ministries, as well as discussed projects of practical cooperation.

Solidarity is a key driving force that unites us and makes us stronger. Estonia has proven to be a reliable political and economic partner in the Baltic region and Northern Europe and a good friend in need.

Just to highlight the solidarity with Ukraine let me emphasize that  Estonia was among the first to respond to Ukraine's invitation to participate in the Crimean Platform Inaugural Summit. The ultimate goal of the Crimean platform is de-occupation of Crimea, its return to Ukraine and compensation for losses caused by the temporary occupation by the Russian Federation. The participation of President of Estonia in the Inaugural Summit of the Crimean Platform  in August 2021 was very important to us, as Estonia, like Latvia and Lithuania, has fully experienced all the horrors of the occupation of the Baltic States. Moreover, the President of Estonia became the first head of a foreign state to visit the line of contact between the mainland of Ukraine and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Ukraine highly appreciates cooperation with Estonia within the framework of international organizations and Estonia’s contribution to the work of the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member. I would like to express my gratitude for supporting Ukraine in counteracting Russian aggression within the UN Security Council.

We closely work together to forge Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic future. Ukraine’s aspiration to become a member of the European Union and NATO is our main foreign policy strategy. Europe is our joint home. I am pleased that Estonia was among the first states to sign a document on European perspective of Ukraine in 2021. 

It is high time for Europe and each of us to set out a clear roadmap for Ukraine to finally join NATO and the European Union and start writing a new history – a history of our joint European and Paneuropean success.

We are interested in deepening bilateral relations with all kinds of initiatives and formats. Step by step, we are moving forward on all tracks.  Ukraine and Estonia enjoy huge prospects for further bilateral cooperation, in particular in the field of IT, defence and countering hybrid threats. 

Ukraine has much to offer on matters of regional security. The country’s capable armed forces have invaluable combat experience from fighting Russian troops since the 2014 invasion. And when it comes to cybersecurity and countering disinformation, Ukraine’s abilities to repel Russian tactics is unquestionable. We are now working closely with Estonia and our NATO friends on strengthening our joint efforts in fighting cyber-attacks. 

We appreciate comprehensive humanitarian, financial and technical assistance granted to Ukraine by Estonia. To date, Estonia has contributed over €18 million towards supporting Ukraine’s development. The support is focused on Ukraine’s good governance and public administration reforms, digital transition and building resilience. Signi¬cant amount of assistance has been given to the Ukraine’s regions, especially in the East. We highly value assistance in medical rehabilitation of our  servicemen.

One special additional value Ukraine can bring to the region is our highly developed IT sector. We see a lot of interest in sharing our best digitalization practices with Estonia. I think together we are capable of building one of the world’s most effective and connected digital networks.

In the economic dimension we witness intensive development of trade and investment cooperation, mutually beneficial partnership in IT and infrastructure. In 2021 we hosted 2 bilateral business forums in Estonia and in Ukraine to boost our cooperation. Around 300 Estonian companies operate in Ukraine. Ukraine is open to further investments, and the Government of Ukraine is committed to promoting and protecting foreign investments.

On each track of cooperation between our countries we have formed long-lasting friendships, trust and understanding with each other. This is the best guarantee of our bilateral cooperation.

Amid a growing Russian military presence along the Ukrainian border we rely on our true friends like Estonia to jointly oppose Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine and the Baltic-Black Sea region and mobilize international pressure to deter Russia.

We all wish to live in a Europe whole, united and at peace.