Estonia’s new Ambassador to Hungary Kristi Karelsohn presents credentials

Yesterday, on 3 October, the new Estonian Ambassador to Hungary, Kristi Karelsohn, presented her credentials to the President of Hungary, János Áder, in Budapest.

After the ceremony, Áder and Karelsohn welcomed the re-openings of embassies in Tallinn and Budapest and expressed hope that it will help further strengthen relations between the two countries. Both noted that the Estonian and Hungarian institutes have done an excellent job in introducing their cultures in the respective countries, but the opening of embassies will provide a great opportunity to promote economic relations as well.

“Estonia and Hungary have always had a special relationship because our languages are related. Estonian is currently being taught in four Hungarian universities. Hungary is also our important ally and partner in the EU and NATO, which is reflected in our diverse cooperation,” Ambassador Karelsohn said. “Our officials often share experiences, for example on social policy. In conversation with the President, we agreed to look for opportunities for cooperation on digital issues and innovation. Hungary has also joined the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn,” she gave further examples. Ambassador Karelsohn thanked President Áder for Hungary’s contribution to NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission.

Since the Estonian Embassy in Budapest closed in 2014, the Estonian Ambassador to Austria has been accredited to Hungary as a non-residing ambassador. The embassy in Budapest resumed work at its previous address, Áldás utca 3, 1022, in August 2018. A formal re-opening ceremony will take place in late autumn. The re-opening of the embassy in Budapest will help better promote Estonia’s interests in the country and strengthen Estonia’s presence in the Balkans. Under the current plan, the embassy in Budapest will also cover Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia*, Montenegro and Serbia.

Ambassador Kristi Karelsohn graduated from the University of Tartu with a degree in Estonia philology in 1993 and from the Estonian School of Diplomacy in 1994. The same year, Karelsohn joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where she has worked in the departments of state protocol and foreign economic policy, and in the international organisatsions division of the political department. She has also worked in the embassies of Riga and Helsinki as an economic diplomat. From 2010-2014, Karelsohn was the head of trade policy and international economic organisatsions division of the Foreign Ministry’s external economic and development cooperation department. She was the Estonian Ambassador to Ireland from August 2014 until the summer of 2018.

*The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Photo: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmtcg4bb

Additional information:

Britta Tarvis
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
[email protected]
+372 637 7627 / +372 5194 7045