History of Diplomatic relations
Diplomatic relations between Estonia and Armenia were established on 23 August 1992. The Ambassador of Armenia to Estonia, Ara Margarian, presented his credentials to President Alar Karis on 28 February 2024; the ambassador is resident in Vilnius. On 2 October 2024, Marge Mardisalu-Kahar, Ambassador of Estonia to Armenia, presented her credentials to the President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan. As of 10 March 2026, the Estonian ambassador is resident in Yerevan.
Since October 2001, Avetik Gukasian has served as Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia in Armenia.
Bilateral relations
Visits to Armenia
May 2026 – Prime Minister Kristen Michal
April 2026 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna
January 2026 – President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar
December 2023 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna
June 2018 – Minister of Culture Indrek Saar
June 2017 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Sven Mikser
April 2016 – Chair of the Estonia–Armenia Parliamentary Group of the Riigikogu Mati Raidma
April 2015 – Chair of the Estonia–Armenia Parliamentary Group of the Riigikogu Mati Raidma
May 2013 – Minister of Justice Hanno Pevkur
June 2009 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet
November 2004 – official visit of President Arnold Rüütel
April 2001 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Toomas Hendrik Ilves
Visits to Estonia
May 2025 – Minister of Education and Culture Zhanna Andreasyan
April 2025 – Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan
April 2025 – Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan
March 2024 – Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan
June 2024 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan
January 2023 – President Vahagn Khachaturyan
February 2019 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan
September 2017 – Minister of Transport Vahan Martirosyan
September 2017 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian
September 2014 – Minister of Education Armen Ashotyan
October 2012 – Minister of Justice Gevorg Danielyan
November 2008 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian
December 2007 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian
September 2005 – Minister of Defence Serzh Sargsyan
June 2002 – official visit of President Robert Kocharyan
March 2000 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian
- Agreement on cooperation between the Ministries of the Interior (entered into force on 24 April 1992)
- Protocol on cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (entered into force on 9 October 2001)
- Air Transport Agreement (entered into force on 9 October 2001)
- Agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital (entered into force on 23 January 2003)
- Agreement on cultural cooperation between the Ministries of Culture (entered into force on 10 June 2005)
- Memorandum of cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs on European integration (entered into force on 3 December 2007)
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of the Republic of Armenia on the abolition of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports (entered into force on 6 January 2011)
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of the Republic of Armenia on cooperation in education and research (entered into force on 27 May 2015)
In January 2014, the Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreement between the European Union, its Member States and Armenia entered into force. Since 2013, Armenia has unilaterally granted visa-free travel to EU citizens.
Economic relations between Estonia and Armenia are modest, and investment in each other’s economies is virtually non-existent. Estonia is interested in developing economic contacts between the two countries and increasing bilateral trade.
For more detailed information on exports and imports, see the Statistics Estonia application.
Community
Approximately 1,500 Armenians live in Estonia. The Armenian National Association operates in Estonia with the aim of coordinating the activities of all Armenian organisations and societies in the country. The first of these, the Armenian Cultural Society, was established in Tallinn as early as 1988. On 4 March 1999, the Armenian Cultural Centre was opened on Kuninga Street in Tallinn at the initiative of the National Association.
In 1994, the St Gregory the Illuminator Parish of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Estonia was established. The Armenian Apostolic Church in Tallinn and the Armenian Sunday School play an important role in promoting Armenian national culture in Estonia.
Education
The University of Tartu and Yerevan State University have historically maintained close ties. In the past century, Armenian-language books were printed at the University of Tartu printing house. Between 1830 and 1836, Khachatur Abovian, the founder of modern Armenian literature and literary language, studied in Tartu, as did Stephanos Nazarian, a leading figure in the Armenian national enlightenment movement. In the 19th century, notable Armenian poets Rafael Patkanian, Gevorg Dodokhian and Gevorg Barkhudarian, as well as physicians Mikael Minrimanjan and Grigori Mednikian, also studied in Tartu. At the beginning of the 20th century, Armenian student corporations operated at the university.
The most active bilateral cooperation takes place primarily within the framework of the EU Eastern Partnership, including the participation of Armenian representatives in various training courses and seminars organised by the Estonian Centre of Eastern Partnership. In addition, Armenian diplomats receive training at the Estonian School of Diplomacy.
Culture
In 2004, the Estonian and Armenian ministries of culture signed an agreement on cultural cooperation. In May 2025, Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Zhanna Andreasyan, visited Estonia. During her visit, she toured, among other institutions, the Estonian National Museum, the National Archives of Estonia, Kumu Art Museum and the e-Governance Academy.
The Estonian Ministry of Culture supports the Estonian Armenian National Association, as it does other national minority organisations. Over the years, cultural exchanges have taken place at a high and representative level. Participants have included the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, the Estonian National Male Choir, several well-known Estonian musicians, and prominent Armenian cultural groups visiting Estonia. Tallinn has also hosted several art exhibitions organised by the Armenian diaspora.
Estonia has supported Armenia since 2001, and since 2024 Armenia has once again been one of Estonia’s priority partner countries. Our cooperation places a strong emphasis on e-governance and education. We also share Estonia’s reform experience in building democratic institutions.
More detailed information is available on the ESTDEV website.
Last updated: 21.07.2026