According to Chapter 5
of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, the President of the
Republic represents Estonia in international relations. The President confers
diplomatic ranks, appoints and recalls diplomatic representatives of the
Republic of Estonia, accepts letters of credence from foreign diplomatic
representatives accredited to Estonia, signs instruments of ratification, etc.,
in conformity with the universally recognized principles and norms of
international law, which are regarded in Art. 3 of the Constitution as an
inseparable part of the Estonian legal system. In the event of a contradiction
between an Estonian law and a foreign treaty, the provisions of the foreign
treaty shall be applied (Art. 123). The Republic of Estonia has acceded to the
Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations (adopted 18 April 1961), on Consular
Relations (24 April 1963), and on the Law of Treaties (23 May 1969).
According to Art. 107 the President of the Republic
of Estonia promulgates laws or returns them to the parliament for a new debate.
He has the right to initiate amendment of the Constitution (Art. 103). During
the legislative period of 1992-1995, nineteen laws have been rejected as being
in conflict with international treaties or the Estonian Constitution.
The President of Estonia is the Supreme Commander of
Estonia's national defence (Art. 78, item 16; Art. 127). The President convenes
and presides over the National Defence Council. The President confers military
ranks.
The presidential seals
are a wet seal and a dry seal. Their shape is identical. The diameter of the
seals is 50 millimetres. The seals bear the Arms of the Republic of Estonia and
the inscription "Eesti Vabariigi President".
The President´s signature to instruments of
ratification of international agreements and to ambassadors´ credentials
is confirmed by the dry seal of the Republic of Estonia, which is 70 mm in
diameter and bears the inscription "Eesti Vabariik".
The presidential flag is the national
flag with a greater national coat of arms in the centre.
The above and other powers are exercised by the President
through the Office of the President of the Republic Estonia, which was
established on 18 November 1992 and serves as his staff.
