Sutt: Role of Estonia’s honorary consuls during war increasingly important

TALLINN – Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology and acting Foreign Minister Andres Sutt said at the traditional conference for Estonia’s honorary consuls on Monday that the role of honorary consuls during Russia’s war against Ukraine is increasingly important.

The traditional conference for Estonia’s honorary consuls began in Tallinn on Monday, bringing together 94 honorary consuls from 44 countries. The conference concentrates on improving the promotion of Estonia, engaging with Estonians abroad and helping our companies enter foreign markets. The agenda also includes the current security and economic environment as well as integration and energy.

In his opening remarks, Sutt recognized Estonia’s honorary consuls abroad who have continued to promote the state and culture of Estonia in various ways throughout the coronavirus pandemic, helped advance economic ties, and supported our citizens and entrepreneurs in foreign countries. Sutt highlighted the role of Estonia’s honorary consuls in spreading Estonia’s messages worldwide and emphasized that despite the war in Ukraine, Estonia is safe, NATO and the European Union begin at Narva and the whole Estonia is open to business and investments.

On Monday, the honorary consuls are briefed on the security and economic situation and they will discuss ways of improving the promotion of Estonia and engaging with Estonians abroad. After the conference, the honorary consuls will meet with President Alar Karis.

On July 5 and 6, the conference continues in East-Viru County's Sillamae, Narva, Kohtla-Jarve and Narva-Joesuu, where discussions will concentrate on integration and energy, and the honorary consuls will visit local companies.

Estonia currently has nearly 200 honorary consuls in 87 countries. The main task of honorary consuls is to raise Estonia’s profile in their homeland, boost economic and cultural ties and education cooperation, and provide consular services and consular assistance to Estonian citizens abroad. Honorary consuls are prominent and respected locals who are not paid for their work as honorary consuls.