Estonia's new ambassadors take up their posts
At the beginning of August, several Estonian ambassadors to foreign countries took up new postings, including the ambassadors to the United States, Canada and NATO.
Hannes Hanso succeeded Kristjan Prikk as Estonia's ambassador to the United States, based in Washington. Since 2022, Hanso had served as Estonia's ambassador to China, as well as to Vietnam, Mongolia and Thailand.
Prikk, who had served as Estonia's ambassador to the United States since 2021, in turn succeeded Jüri Luik as Estonia's permanent representative to NATO.
Marje Luup was appointed Estonia's ambassador to Kazakhstan, based in Astana.
Estonia's previous ambassador to Kazakhstan, Jaap Ora, resigned on December 9 last year after drawing criticism from Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) and Foreign Ministry Secretary General Jonatan Vseviov over President Alar Karis' state visit to Kazakhstan. Ora has since challenged his dismissal in court.
Luup previously served as Estonia's ambassador to India, as well as to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. She was succeeded in New Delhi in August by Kristi Karelsohn.
Ambassadors were also replaced in Canada, Ukraine, Albania, Hungary, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Brazil.
Gert Auväärt succeeded Margus Rava as Estonia's ambassador to Canada, based in Ottawa.
Tiina Intelmann succeeded Annely Kolk as Estonia's ambassador to Ukraine, based in Kyiv.
Piret Urb succeeded Karin Rannu as Estonia's ambassador to Albania, based in Athens.
Jana Vanamölder succeeded Raul Toomas as Estonia's ambassador to Hungary, based in Budapest.
Kairi Saar-Isop succeeded Kairi Künka as Estonia's ambassador to Ireland, based in Dublin.
Lembit Uibo succeeded Andres Rundu as Estonia's ambassador to Spain, based in Madrid.
Katrin Kivi succeeded Moonika Kase as Estonia's ambassador to Portugal, based in Lisbon.
Estonia also opened new embassies this year in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia; Chișinău, the capital of Moldova; Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan; Brasília, the capital of Brazil; and Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
Former Ambassador to Portugal Moonika Kase was appointed Estonia's first ambassador to Brazil, based in Brasília.
Tiina Nirk was appointed Estonia's ambassador to Azerbaijan, based in Baku.
Siiri Königsberg was appointed Estonia's ambassador to Moldova, based in Chișinău.
Several diplomatic rotations are still to come.
Daniel Erik Schaer will take up his post as Estonia's ambassador to Kenya, based in Nairobi, on August 31.
Estonia's ambassador to Latvia, based in Riga, will change on December 1, when Celia Kuningas-Saagpakk succeeds Eerik Marmei.
Kuningas-Saagpakk had previously served as Estonia's ambassador to the Holy See, based in Tallinn. She was succeeded by Minna-Liina Lind.
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Editor: Valner Väino, Marcus Turovski
