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EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in U.S.
Abassador: Vaino REINART
Embassy: 2131 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: 202-588-0101
FAX: 202-588-0108

Consulate(s) General are in:
New York
600 3rd Av., 26th Floor,
New York, NY 10016.
(212) 883-0636, FAX (212) 883-0648

US Diplomatic Representation:
Ambassador: Michael Polt
Embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn, Estonia
Telephone: (372) 668 8100
Fax: (372) 668 8134

Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Estonia

Embassy of Estonia in Washington, United States of America
U.S. Embassy in Tallinn, Estonia
Embassy of Estonia in Helsinki, Finland
Embassy of Estonia in London, Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Embassy of Estonia in Stockholm, Sweden


FOREIGN RELATIONS

Estonia is party to most major international organizations. It is a UN, EU, and NATO member and a strong ally and partner of the United States on all fronts. It is deeply committed to good transatlantic relations and to promoting democracy and free-market economic policy globally.

In the EU, Estonia's priorities include supporting continued EU enlargement; raising EU competitiveness through innovation; developing a unified European energy policy; enhancing and fostering the European Neighborhood Policy; and improving the EU relationship with Russia.

Estonia has active development assistance programs in many of the former Soviet countries (with a focus on Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova), as well as in Afghanistan.

U.S.-ESTONIA RELATIONS
The relationship between Estonia and the United States of America has been constant and strong since Estonia first became independent. The United States and Estonia are important allies and partners.

The United States recognized the Republic of Estonia on July 28, 1922. The first Estonian diplomatic mission in the United States was opened in the same year. It continued its activities throughout the period of occupation by the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991. The U.S. Government recognized Estonia's diplomatic mission as a legal representative of the Republic of Estonia. Indeed, the recognition of the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia has been the cornerstone of Estonian-U.S. relations.

The U.S. reopened its Embassy in Tallinn on September 4, 1991, soon after the restoration of Estonia's independence on August 20, 1991. Relations between the two countries have since developed at a rapid pace. In November 2006, President George W. Bush became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Estonia. Estonia joined the U.S. Visa Waiver Program on November 17, 2008, increasing security while facilitating entry for legitimate visitors and business people from countries like Estonia.

Vaino Reinart has been Estonia's Ambassador to the United States since 2007, but will be replaced in 2011 by Marina Kaljurand. Estonia also is represented in the United States by a Consulate General in New York and Honorary Consulates in Los Angeles; Chicago; New Hampshire; Seattle; Houston; Phoenix; Lincoln, NE; and Charleston.

DEFENSE
Estonia's regular armed forces--the Estonian Defense Forces--in peacetime number about 3,800 persons (Army 3,300, Navy 300, Air Force 200), of whom about 1,500 are conscripts. The Minister of Defense is the Commander in Chief of the Estonian Defense Forces.

Estonia officially became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on March 29, 2004 after depositing its instruments of treaty ratification in Washington, DC. The United States and Estonia cooperate intensively in the defense and security field.

The Government of Estonia has expressed a firm commitment to meet the NATO goal of spending 2% of GDP; its current defense budget is 1.86% of GDP. In 2010, Estonia had over 300 military personnel deployed to support UN, NATO, and coalition military operations around the world. That number represents 9% of Estonia's military, a good indication of Estonia's willingness and ability to contribute to global security. Estonia currently has troops in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, off the coast of Somalia, and in Lebanon, and participates in the NATO training mission in Iraq (NTM-I).

Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador--Michael Polt
Deputy Chief of Mission--Robert Gilchrist
Head of Political/Economic Section--Marc Nordberg
Management Officer--Andrew Graves
Legal Attache--Kirk Striebich
Consular Officer--Patrick McNeil
Public Affairs Officer--James Land
Senior Defense Officer--Lieutenant Colonel Robert Williams

The U.S. Embassy in Estonia is located at Kentmanni 20, Tallinn [tel. (372) 66 88 100].


TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Estonia check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving International Driving Permit required
Currency (EEK) Estonian Kroon
Electrical 230 Volts
Telephones Country Code 372, Laane-Virumaa 32+5D, Viljandimaa 43+5D, Tallinn 60+5D, Tartumaa 73+5D



Time: GMT + 2.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are in use.

Telephone: IDD service is available. Country code: 372. To make international calls, dial 8, wait for the long tone and then dial 00. An English directory enquiries service is available (tel: 8 1182). Public telephones, which are plentiful, are operated by phonecards, available from kiosks.

Climate: Temperate climate, but with considerable temperature variations. Summer is warm with relatively mild weather in spring and autumn. Winter, which lasts from November to mid-March, can be very cold. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with the heaviest rainfall in August. Heavy snowfalls are common in the winter months.

Required clothing: Light- to mediumweights are worn during the summer nonths. Medium- to heavyweights are needed during winter. Rainwear is advisable all year.

Food & Drink: Hors d’oeuvres are very good and often the best part of the meal. Local specialities include sült (jellied veal), täidetud vasikarind (roast stuffed shoulder of veal) and rosolje (vinaigrette with herring and beets). Braised goose stuffed with apples and plums is also a Baltic speciality. The legal drinking age is 21.

Shopping: Amber and local folk-art are good buys. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-2100. Many shops are also open at the weekend.

Tipping: Taxi fares and restaurant bills include a tip.

Currency: 1 Kroon (ekr) = 100 sents. Notes are in denominations of ekr500, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of ekr1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 sents.

Currency exchange: All major currencies can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change. The value of the Kroon has been tied to the Euro. There are ATMs in most towns.

Credit & debit cards: Credit cards are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco....200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco

Liquor.....1L of alcohol over 22 percent or 2l of alcohol up to 22 percent and 2l of wine

Perfume....Reasonable for personal use

Cameras....No restrictions

Film...........Reasonalbe for personal use

Gifts..........Reasonable quantity

Currency....No restrictions

Note: Restrictions apply to certain items including plants and vegetable products, firearms, diamonds and antiques. Contact the authorities for further information tel: (6) 967 436; e-mail: info@customs.ee; website: www.customs.ee



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