On Thursday, September 18, the Estonian Ambassador to the United States, Eerik Marmei presented his letter of credentials to President Barack Obama at the White House.
In the conversation following the ceremony, President Obama and Ambassador Marmei stressed the long term successful cooperation between the two countries, their joint activities in NATO, the importance of transatlantic cooperation and recalled President Obama's recent visit to Estonia.
President Obama stated that the enthusiasm and hospitality of the people of Estonia during his visit meant a great deal to him and the United States. He also commended the people of Estonia for having built a vibrant, successful democracy through hard work, innovation and the pursuit of strong democratic ideas, which serves as an example to many.
Ambassador Marmei stated that Estonia values cooperation with the United States in all spheres of mutual interest, specifically highlighting cooperation in the area of strengthening collective defence. “The need for continuous close cooperation, as well as the engagement of the United States in the Baltic region through NATO, the European Reassurance Initiative announced by the President in Warsaw, and numerous joint training exercises and other activities, are of utmost importance,” Ambassador Marmei said. President Obama emphasized Estonia's exemplary commitment as a NATO ally by fulfilling all allied commitments and guaranteeing security both in Europe and outside of Europe.
Both President Obama and Ambassador Marmei confirmed that the strong and abiding friendship of the two countries will continue and shared objectives will be achieved.
Eerik Marmei was born on May 6, 1970 in Tartu. He graduated from the University of Tartu in 1993 and received a Master’s degree in international relations from Notre Dame University in the U.S. in 1996.
Eerik Marmei has worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1993. He began his career in the Political Department as the desk officer for the United States. He has also worked as the Director of the Bureau for International Organizations and Security Policy, at the Estonian delegation to NATO and Estonian Embassies in Washington and London. From 2008 to 2010, he headed the NATO and European Union Department at the Ministry of Defence and returned thereafter to the Foreign Ministry as the Director of the Security Policy and Arms Control Division of the Political Department. Before assuming his current position, Ambassador Marmei served as Estonian Ambassador to Poland and Romania residing in Warsaw.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/estonian-foreign-ministry/15098428058/
Additional information:
Maria Belovas
Public diplomacy and media relations
Estonian Embassy in Washington
[email protected]
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