Luxembourg

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg recognised the Republic of Estonia on 22 February 1923 and re-recognised Estonia on 27 August 1991. Diplomatic relations were re-established on 29 August 1991.

Estonian Ambassador to Luxembourg Lembit Uibo presented his credentials on 16 May 2017. The ambassador resides in Brussels and in addition to Luxembourg is also the ambassador to Belgium and Switzerland.

Previous Estonian ambassadors to Luxembourg:

1993-1996 Clyde Kull
1996-1999 Jüri Luik
1999-2003 Sulev Kannike
2004-2009 Malle Talvet-Mustonen
2009            Karin Jaani
2010-2011 Mariin Ratnik
2012-2017 Gert Antsu

Estonia’s Honorary Consul in Luxembourg is Alexis Thielen.

Ambassador of Luxembourg to Estonia Michèle Pranchère-Tomassini presented her credentials on 23 November 2012. The ambassador resides in Prague. Mr. Vahur Kraft held the postition of Honorary Consul of Luxembourg to Estonia between 2009 - 2013.

The bilateral relations of Estonia and Luxembourg are good, stable and active. The integration-friendly European Union policy of both Estonia and Luxembourg creates a sound basis for co-operation. Meetings of the foreign ministers take place regularly in the Baltic and Benelux countries format. Consultations on the topic of the European Union are regular as well. 

Visits

Agreements

• Convention between the Government of Estonia and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital (PDF) (came into force in December 2015)
• Agreement between Estonia and Luxembourg on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information (came into force 1.08.2013)
• Agreement Between Estonia and the States of Benelux on Readmission of Persons (came into force 1.02.2005)
• Agreement on Road Transport between the Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands (came into force 1.12.1994);

Economic Relations

Trade

Trade 2007-2015 (in millions of euros)

Source: Statistics Estonia

Investments

As of 31 December 2015, Luxembourg had made direct investments in Estonia totalling 540 million euros (according to the data of Bank of Estonia), which made up 3.1% of all direct investments in Estonia. That makes Luxembourg the 8th biggest investor in Estonia. 

As of 31 December 2015, Estonia's direct investment position in Luxembourg was 10.2 million euros (0.2% of all direct investments made abroad). Compared to 2013, Estonia's investments in Luxembourg had increased by 11.7 million euros.

Tourism

On average around 1000 tourists from Luxembourg are hosted per year in Estonia. Main destinations are in addition to Tallinn also Tartu and Pärnu county. Around 9000-10 000 Estonians visit Luxembourg per year.

Cultural relations

Cultural relations between Estonia and Luxembourg are developing, thanks to the Luxembourgish Estonian Society and the Estonian and Luxembourgish Embassies. In October 2017, Estonia was the focus of the Central and Eastern European Film Festival CinEast taking place in Luxembourg.

Within the past few years, concerts have been given in Luxembourg by Villu Veski and Tiit Kalluste together with the Argentinean Pipi Piazolla; Vox Clamantis and Olav Ehala; Andres Mustonen and Ivo Sillamaa; as well as Ultima Thule, Vennaskond, and Abrahams Cafe. The documentary “The Singing Revolution”, about Estonia regaining its independence, has been screened in Luxembourg. The Pascal Schumacher Quartet from Luxembourg performed within the framework of the Nargen Festival in Estonia; the film “A Town Named Panic”, created in co-operation by Luxembourg, Belgium and France, has been shown during the Black Nights Film Festival.

In March 2014, a literary meeting with Andrus Kivirähk took place. In October, the Estonian film "Kirsitubakas" (Cherry Tobacco) participated in the 7th International CinEast Film Festival in Luxembourg.

Estonians in Luxembourg

For more information see “Estonians in Europe” and "Luxembourgish Estonian Society"