Interstate relations between Estonia and the United Kingdom started at the very beginnings of the Estonian state 80 years ago. During the Estonian War of Liberation Great Britain substantially supported Estonia's aspirations to independence, and long-term political, economic and defence relations between the two countries have held to this day.

As a confirmation of the stability of relations there will be several high-level meetings this year. On 25 February 1998 President Lennart Meri of Estonia will begin an official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – the most important event of the year in the relations between the two countries, according to the British Ambassador Timothy Craddock.

During his six-day visit President Meri will meet Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Tony Blair, Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, as well as members of the British Parliament. In Bradford the Estonian President will meet Estonians living in England.

To mark the historic date, the British Embassy in Tallinn will produce a brief survey of the origin of British-Estonian relations, notably about the British Navy coming to Estonia's assistance at the critical moments in 1918-20. The relations between the two countries have also kept stable due to the fact that the UK has never recognized the Soviet occupation of Estonia.

On 24 February Admiral J. H. S. McAnally of the Royal British Navy will be in Tallinn; in summer Tallinn will be visited by a mission of the Royal Navy to mark the anniversary of cooperation between the navies.

Besides bilateral relations, the fact that the UK currently holds the Presidency of the European Union will further contribute to the closeness of relations this year. This period will include the European Conference as well as the beginning of negotiations between Estonia and the European Union.

The Estonian head of state will be accompanied on his London visit by a delegation of Estonian businessmen. Bilateral economic and commercial relations have grown closer, and at the moment the UK occupies the eighth place among Estonian trade partners. One of President Meri's destinations during his official visit will be the greatest British financial centre, the City of London.


Information Service of the President's Office
in collaboration with the British Embassy in Tallinn


(For further information call the Embassy at 6 313 462, Neve Hõbemägi)

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