Estonia–Taiwan relations

Estonian–Taiwanese relations

Estonia	Taiwan

Estonia–Taiwan relations are foreign relations between the Estonia and Taiwan. Although the two countries do not have official diplomatic relations, they have engaged in cultural and economic exchanges. The Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia also represents the interests of Taiwan in Estonia in the absence of formal diplomatic relations.

History

Former President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves meeting with President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen as part of APEC Digital Innovation Forum (2018)

On 2 November 2023, the cabinet of Estonia revised its approach to Taiwan to allow for the opening of a Taiwanese representative office in Estonia. Foreign minister Margus Tsahkna announced the policy and explained that it was meant to promote cultural and economic ties with Taiwan.[1] Tsahkna said in a statement that "Estonia is ready to accept the creation of Taipei’s non-diplomatic economic or cultural representations" in Tallinn, despite protests from China. Further, Tsahkna pushed for Taiwan's participation in international organizations.[2] In the same month, Taiwanese foreign minister Joseph Wu visited Estonia and gave a public speech.[3]

In March 2024, parliamentarian Kristo Enn Vaga led a Riigikogu delegation to Taiwan and was received by Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen. During the visit, Vaga said Estonian lawmakers were working to push for opening the Taiwanese representative office, and Tsai thanked the Estonia-Taiwan Friendship Group for their 4 consecutive years of support for Taiwan's bid to participate in the World Health Organization.[3]

Aid and development

In April 2020, at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan donated 80,000 surgical masks to the Estonian Red Cross as part of its respirator diplomacy.[4]

In May 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Taiwanese government donated US$1 million to the Estonia Refugee Council as part of a larger war relief and humanitarian assistance effort. In June 2024, the Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia signed an agreement with the Estonian Centre for International Development to support Estonia's efforts to build refugee shelters. As part of the agreement, Taiwan was donating an additional US$1.2 million.[5]

See also

• Foreign relations of Estonia
• Foreign relations of Taiwan

References

1. Tanner, Jari (3 November 2023). "Estonia will allow Taiwan to establish a nondiplomatic representative office in a policy revision". AP News. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
2. Askew, Joshua (10 November 2023). "Estonia ready to let Taiwan open Tallinn office, despite China warnings". Euronews. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
3. "Push being made for Taiwan office in Tallinn: Estonian lawmaker". Focus Taiwan. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
4. Tambur, Silver (21 April 2020). "Taiwan donates 80,000 masks to Estonia". Estonian World. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
5. Yang, Yao-ju; Yeh, Esme (21 June 2024). "Taiwan donating US$1.2m to Kyiv through Estonia". Taipei Times. Retrieved 22 June 2024.