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Estonia - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-ESTONIA RELATIONS The relationship between Estonia and the United States of America has been constant and strong since Estonia first became independent. The United States and Estonia are important allies and partners. The United States recognized the Republic of Estonia on July 28, 1922. The first Estonian diplomatic mission in the United States was opened in the same year. It continued its activities throughout the period of occupation by the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991. The U.S. Government recognized Estonias diplomatic mission as a legal representative of the Republic of Estonia. Indeed, the recognition of the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia has been the cornerstone of Estonian-U.S. relations. The U.S. reopened its Embassy in Tallinn on September 4, 1991, soon after the restoration of Estonias independence on August 20, 1991. Relations between the two countries have since developed at a rapid pace. In November 2006, President George W. Bush was the first sitting U.S. president to visit Estonia. During the visit, he announced the administrations intention to work with the U.S. Congress to make changes to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, increasing security while facilitating entry for legitimate visitors and businesspeople from countries like Estonia. Mr. Jüri Luik has been Estonias Ambassador to the United States since September 2003. Estonia also is represented in the United States by a Consulate General in New York and three Honorary Consuls: Jaak Treiman in Los Angeles, Mart Kask in Seattle, and Scott E. Schul in Maine. Principal U.S. Officials Ambassador--Stanley Davis (Dave) Phillips Deputy Chief of Mission--Jeffrey Goldstein Head of Political/Economic Section--Jessica L. Adkins Management Officer--Kira Kruglikova Legal Attaché--John Sylvester Consular Officer--Rodger Deuerlein Public Affairs Officer--Eric Johnson Defense Attaché--Commander Karin Shuey (USN) Chief of Office of Defense Cooperation--Major Mark Rydzynski The U.S. Embassy in Estonia is located at Kentmanni 20, Tallinn [tel. (372) 66 88 100].