History of diplomatic relations
Norway recognised Estonia de jure as a sovereign state on 5 February 1921. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored on 27 August 1991. Norway opened its embassy in Tallinn on 25 November 1991. The Estonian embassy in Oslo was opened in February 1994 with a chargé d’affaires ad interim appointed. As of the year 2000, the Estonian ambassadors to Norway reside in Oslo.
Estonian ambassadors to Norway:
- Piia Mathisen (as of 22.08.2024)
- Lauri Bambus (2020-2024)
- Janne Jõesaar-Ruusalu (2016–2020)
- Simmu Tiik (2012–2016)
- Arti Hilpus (2008–2012)
- Juhan Haravee (2004–2008)
- Peep Jahilo (2000–2004)
Norwegian ambassadors to Estonia:
- Marius Dirdal (as of 12 January 2023)
- Else Berit Eikeland (2020-2023)
- Cecilie A. Willoch (2018–2019)
- Dagfinn Sørli (2014–2018)
- Lise Kleven Grevstad (2010–2014)
- Stein Vegard Hagen (2005–2010)
- Per Kristian Pedersen (2000–2005)
- Kai O. Lie (1995–2000)
- Brit Løvseth (1991–1995)
Bilateral relations
To Estonia
- Visit of the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to Estonia (November 2023)
- Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt (2022)
- Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide at a meeting of the NB8 ministers (2020)
- Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit (2018)
- Prime Minister Erna Solberg in June (2017)
- Minister of the European Economic Area and European Union Affairs Frank Bakke-Jensen (2017)
To Norway
- Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna (March 2025)
- Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (2022)
- President Alar Karis (2022)
- President Kersti Kaljulaid (2020)
- Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (2018)
- President Kersti Kaljulaid (2017)
The international agreements between Estonia and Norway can be found in Riigi Teataja.
2024. Export to Norway was 585,1 million euros.
Norway is an important export destination country for Estonia, which whom Estonia enjoys a positive trade balance. In 2022, export to Norway amounted to 754 million euros. Norway is also an important foreign investor in Estonia. For more information about trade with Norway, see the Statistics Estonia application.
The cultural cooperation between Estonia and Norway is multifaceted, especially in the fields of literature, music, and theatre. The Norwegian support was important in advising and funding the restoration of Estonian manor schools through the manor schools programme of the European Economic Area financial mechanism.
Norway takes active part in the strengthening of the security of our region: Norway belongs to the battlegroup of the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in Lithuania and also takes part in ensuring the air security of the Baltic states. Norway is represented in the Baltic Defence College in Tartu and in the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn. There are regular bilateral political/military, logistics, and defence policy-related consultations and negotiations, as well training cooperation, joint trainings, and procurement procedures.
Approximately 5,200 Estonian citizens are living in Norway today. The Norwegian Estonian Society and the Norwegian-Estonian Association are operating in the country, which organise joint activities and help to develop friendly relations between the two countries.
Last updated: 20.09.2024
