Honoured President of Riigikogu, dear colleagues, honoured partners, dear friends,
The fact that we can celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here together is a miracle. An independent nation state next to Russia is not something that can be taken for granted. We have won our independence by fighting, drawing strength from the idea of an independent state during the most difficult times. Work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is far from being the land of milk and honey. However, if we do our jobs well, we will always have honey on our table. It is the sweet and bitter feeling of having a beehive that we can fly to that motivates us.
Dear friends,
We are successful together. Both as countries and unions and as diplomats and officials. Let us gain confidence from the knowledge that we can meet challenges more boldly because we have accomplished a great deal. With each day, we are getting better at diplomatic jazz. After all, diplomacy has been compared to this musical style in particular. Estonia’s diplomatic jazz revolves around freedom. Everything we do in order to reinforce our security and increase our prosperity is based on freedom and preserving it.
However, large parts of the world are not free. We are forced to see how Russia, where freedom is merely a distant memory, is waging a full-scale war against Ukraine for imperialist and colonial aims. Only a month ago, we witnessed horrible terrorist acts aimed at destroying Israel. Appallingly, we are seeing detention centres and re-education camps across the world, where people can be taken for their ethnic or cultural status, their profession or a few random words. Moreover, technology is regrettably finding increasing use in sowing confusion and fear and suppressing societies.
Thus, the global order on which the international community gradually agreed after the Second World War is under attack. A world built on freedom, justice and rules.
It is a matter of principle for us that we do not look the other way when rules are broken. That those sowing destruction and atrocities do not go unpunished.
Putin and his allies are responsible for the aggression against Ukraine. However, it is currently impossible to hold national leaders to account without a special tribunal because they are protected by impunity.
The Nuremberg tribunal set out the accountability of national leaders and established the principle that leaders are accountable for their actions. The leaders of the Soviet Union were not brought to the international tribunal for their crimes of aggression at the time. We can see the results in 21st-century Europe. Unfortunately, the military conflicts following the Second World War have been left without a clear resolution.
This is why they have continued to reoccur. The West is good at quietly sweeping their failures under the carpet. We cannot fail this time.
Today, Ukraine is fighting for nothing but freedom. For the free world! The hundred thousand Russian soldiers who were deployed close to our border only some months ago have been redeployed to destroy Ukraine. Ukraine is fighting them for us. No ifs or buts about it – we are standing with Ukraine until Ukraine has won!
Dear audience,
Estonia is defended. Our membership in the European Union and NATO was, is and will be the backbone of our security. Every day, we are committed to working for the goal that our alliances and associations based on shared values remain firm. Our aim is clear and our actions are precise.
Estonia is leading the way internationally with several important principal matters, which we consider self-evident but many others do not. Ukraine’s NATO membership, bringing Putin to an international special tribunal for the crime of aggression, using frozen Russian assets and bringing back 20 000 children deported from Ukraine are only some examples.
This often means that our diplomats are required to swim against the current but we are skilful and tenacious. The answers to these questions of values will define the democratic world and security for a long time. Here, Estonia has an important role and responsibility. The agreements based on economic and practical interests did not prevent a full-scale war in Europe; on the contrary, Europe’s economy, not to mention hundreds of thousands of people are currently suffering as a consequence of this failed policy – because war was not prevented.
This is why Europe needs a security architecture that has no gaping grey areas and does not allow making agreements over the heads of small nations.
Finland and Sweden have decided to join NATO after a long-standing policy of neutrality, and this indicates that Russia is considered a security threat in the long perspective.
Ukraine must become a full member of NATO because NATO is the only functioning security guarantee. All other solutions are a green light for Russia’s continued aggression.
The enlargement policy of NATO and the European Union is an existential issue for us because without it, we would probably not be celebrating the 105th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a free Estonia. After all, enlargement is not merely helping Ukrainians, it is our chance to help reinforce Europe’s security in the whole region. Ukraine has a lot to offer, from its smart people and resources to their actual military power.
Dear friends,
In recent weeks, people have been asking increasingly whether the West is able to pay attention to several exhausting wars at the same time.
My answer is that we have no choice – obviously, the part of the world that is underpinned by freedom and upholds the rule of law has an attention span that covers all hotbeds. Moreover, these conflicts are not completely divorced from each other. It bears thinking about who gains from infighting in the rules-based world as a result of the Israli-Hamas conflict.
People are dying in Ukraine and the Middle East on a daily basis. The conflicts are not abstract or mere statistics, they always bear the face of specific people who are paying the ultimate price.
20 000 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia and Belarus – it seems impossible in 21st-century Europe. Concentration camps, changes of identity and selling children on the black market – can we truly imagine what this means?
EVERY CHILD MATTERS! In addition to politicians, there are fathers and mothers – this message goes beyond national interests! Many Estonian families know from history what it means to suffer under such a tyranny. We will not forget – we have a duty to our children and grandparents. We are fighting for every child that is suffering! It is a reality that we must address forcefully and fearlessly.
The ground we have covered in the 105 years of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spurs us on.
If we had allowed pessimism to triumph and lost faith in our values, we would not have the Tartu Peace Treaty and the policy of non-recognition. There would have been no removal of Russian troops and we would not have become members of the EU and NATO. We would not have been elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and many important chapters in our story would have been left unwritten. It is a capital we would not have if we had not been guided by the values we cherish. These values will also take us to the future.
The unsaid principle in Estonian politics of leaving foreign and security policy out of party politics should continue to guide us.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the best team of women and men! Everyone here in this hall is the vanguard of Estonia’s security and prosperity.
As well as the colleagues who could not be here today or who have sadly left us. Yet they have played a crucial role in Estonia’s inception, success and prosperity. You, dear colleagues, spirited family members, good partners – you are the miracle!
The work you are doing every day is extremely difficult but the reward of our independence and freedom is immeasurable! The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is its people – from the basement all the way up to the 10th floor, from Canberra to Ottawa. Dear colleagues, I would like to offer you my deep and sincere gratitude!
The activities of Ernst Jaakson in preserving the idea of Estonia and maintaining the Estonian cultural identity carry a huge symbolic value. He dedicated his life to Estonia. Let us remember that his contribution goes beyond consular offices, it is the free Estonian state itself. A state that is able to stand for freedom with all its force in the greatest and most important international issues. The best way to recognise the legacy of Ernst Jaakson is to commit ourselves to serving the Estonian state. The least we can do is to perpetuate the memory of Jaakson as a statesman and as the longest-serving active diplomat in a dignified way in the public space of New York. Our culture is carried on by our people, our companies and civil initiatives, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs helps to empower internationally. The Estonian cultural centre KESKUS that is set to be constructed in Toronto is one such wonderful initiative.
Dear friends,
I would like to underline that Estonia is only as strong as its economy. Money for the state budget does not come out of nowhere; it comes from the pockets of entrepreneurs. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is our responsibility to ensure the international security of our country and stand up for the economic interests of Estonia by opening doors and attracting investments. Every company is important, which is why we are ready to provide a tailor-made suit for every potential cooperation project. The reconstruction process of Ukraine will be a part of Estonia’s economic development for the next decades. Estonia cannot win with volumes; instead it can use speed, efficiency and credibility. Without Estonian entrepreneurs, we would not be able to maintain our country. A great thank you to our entrepreneurs!
Dear audience,
Thank you all! However, I would like to remind you that you should not forget to rest because resting replenishes strength. Even the most hard-working bees must rest sometimes.
There are many spouses and children of our diplomats and officials here today. We are all working for the Estonian cause together, supporting each other and relying on each other. Spouses and children are not merely support staff that works tirelessly to allow the diplomat to shine. Our families are our primary strategic support and moral compass.
Dear colleagues,
It is said that politics is the art of compromise. It seems that the communication of the 21st century, where only brutal conflict sells, is beginning to overshadow this principle, which is the basis for all diplomacy. Primitive and brutal conflict sells and gets attention. How do we deal with all this? How do we keep the people of Estonia together, in one hive?
It is increasingly popular to look for conflict where none exists merely to seek attention. People are increasingly insulting each other; there is a lot of hurting. We, Estonians, cannot afford this. We cannot hurt and insult each other because we need everyone for the preservation of our nation.
Therefore, dear friends and colleagues, think before you are tempted to say something disparaging! Words are powerful! Every person counts and there are enough conflicts in the world without us adding to them.
The beauty and elegance of our work tends to get lost in everyday work. This is understandable and human. Yet on these occasions, it is always good to recall the comforting words of Ants Piip, former foreign minister and one of the architects of the Tartu Peace Treaty, ‘/…/ every night and hardship comes to an end and calm and sunshine will eventually follow wind and storm. /…/ The discontent and activism of the sufferer shortens the time of duress, optimism and a strong will lead to the triumph of truth.’
It is optimism that should be our takeaway today from the rich legacy of Piip. The need to believe and hope despite difficult times. We cannot break under suffering and injustice nor give up because,
/.../ And thousands go down;
thousands are coming home
and will endure hard work and care
and fly to the beehive!
Dear friends,
Together we are strong!
