History of diplomatic relations
Türkiye recognised the Republic of Estonia on 23 January 1924. Before the Second World War, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Estonia was Nuri Batu, who presented his credentials on 19 September 1935. At that time, there were nine resident ambassadors in Tallinn, and Türkiye had 20 embassies worldwide.
After the restoration of Estonia’s independence, the two countries restored diplomatic relations on 23 October 1991. Türkiye has never recognised the annexation of Estonia or the Soviet occupation of Estonia. In 1992, Türkiye accredited its first ambassador to Estonia, residing in Vilnius. In 1996, Estonia accredited its first ambassador to Türkiye, residing in Tallinn. In February 2001, Estonia opened its embassy in Ankara. In October 2001, Türkiye opened its embassy in Tallinn.
Ambassadors of Türkiye to Estonia
- Başak Türkoğlu, 2022–present
- Süleyman İnan Özyıldız, 2020–2022
- Hayriye Kumaşcıoğlu, 2015–2019
- Ahmet Ülker, 2013–2015
- Ayşenur Alpaslan, 2009–2013
- Fatma Şule Soysal, 2005–2009
- Ömer Altuğ, 2001–2005
Ambassadors of Estonia to Türkiye
- Väino Reinart, 2023–present
- Annely Kolk, 2019–2023
- Marin Mõttus, 2016–2019
- Miko Haljas, 2012–2016
- Aivo Orav, September 2008–2012
- Märt Volmer, 2004–2008
Bilateral relations
To Türkiye
- 26–28 June 2024
Official visit by President Alar Karis - October 2022
Visit to Ankara by Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu - 20–21 January 2022
Visit to Ankara by Minister of Foreign Affairs Eva-Maria Liimets - 15–16 August 2017
Official visit to Türkiye by Prime Minister Jüri Ratas - 18 July 2017
Official visit to Ankara by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sven Mikser - 24–25 August 2016
Visit to Ankara by Minister of Foreign Affairs Marina Kaljurand in her capacity as Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe - 6 May 2012
Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet in Istanbul for a Nordic walking event on the Bosphorus Bridge - May 2011
Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet at the 121st Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Istanbul - February 2011
Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo - June 2010
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Minister of Culture Laine Jänes in Istanbul in connection with the world premiere of Arvo Pärt’s major work Adam’s Lament - April 2010
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves - December 2009
Official visit to Ankara by Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet - April 2009
Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet at the meeting of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in Istanbul - November 2008
Minister of Agriculture Helir-Valdor Seeder - March 2008
Prime Minister Andrus Ansip - April 2006
Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet at the opening of the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline - April 2006
Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet - September 2005
President Arnold Rüütel - April 2004
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristiina Ojuland - August 2003
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristiina Ojuland - October 2001
Minister of Foreign Affairs Toomas Hendrik Ilves
To Estonia
- January 2024
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye Burak Akçapar - January 2023
Minister of Trade of Türkiye Mehmet Muş - February 2023
Working visit to Estonia by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu - November 2022
Visit to Estonia by Akif Çağatay Kılıç, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye - August 2019
Visit to Estonia by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu - October 2018
Visit to Estonia by Volkan Bozkır, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye - October 2017
Visit to Estonia by Ömer Çelik, Minister for European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator of Türkiye - October 2016
Official visit to Estonia by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu - October 2014
Official visit to Estonia by President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan - May 2012
Official visit to Estonia by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye Ahmet Davutoğlu - November 2011
Minister for European Union Affairs Egemen Bağış - February 2011
Minister of Agriculture Mehmet Mehdi Eker - February 2010
Working visit by Minister for European Union Affairs Egemen Bağış - October 2008
President Abdullah Gül - June 2008
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Babacan - December 2006
Ali Babacan, Türkiye’s Chief Negotiator for EU Affairs and Minister of State for Economic Affairs - September 2004
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gül - August 2002
Minister of Defence Sabahattin Çakmakoğlu - April 2002
State visit by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer - June 2000
Minister of Foreign Affairs İsmail Cem
International agreements between Estonia and Türkiye are available in the Riigiteataja.
On 11 January 2023, Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology Kristjan Järvan and Minister of Trade of Türkiye Mehmet Muş signed the Declaration on the Establishment of a Joint Economic and Trade Committee.
For more detailed data on trade with Türkiye, see the application of Statistics Estonia.
Estonia and Türkiye have concluded an agreement on cooperation in the fields of culture, education, science and sport, which entered into force in 1999.
On 10 May 2024, at the Europe Day concert in Ankara, Olari Elts conducted the Presidential Symphony Orchestra of Türkiye.
In April and May 2024, the Estonian film O2 was screened as part of the European Film Days in ten cities across Türkiye.
From February to May 2024, the exhibition Shepherds of the Bunker by Estonian artist Madlen Hirtentreu was on display at the Eldem Art Space Fırın gallery in Eskişehir.
The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir performed at the World Symposium on Choral Music in Istanbul on 25–26 April 2023. At the opening concert on 25 April, the choir performed together with the Turkish State Choir at the Atatürk Cultural Centre. On the second day, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir gave a concert at St Anthony’s Church, conducted by Tõnu Kaljuste. The programme included works by Estonian composers. Minister of Culture Heidy Purga attended the opening concert.
On 10–11 May 2023, Estonian jazz musicians gave concerts in Ankara and Istanbul. Villu Veski and Tiit Kalluste performed with the project Sounds of the Nordic Islands.
In 2023, the film Apothecary Melchior was screened at the European Film Festival in June and September in ten cities across Türkiye.
In spring 2022, visitors to the CerModern arts centre in Ankara had the opportunity to see the exhibition Figures 1.0 & 1.5 by Estonian artist Markus Kasemaa.
Last updated: 25.05.2026