Politics & Society

  Chairman of the Center Party, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas proposed a possible question for the upcoming marriage referendum on an ERR talk show. Ratas said that the phrasing of the question should be specific.   He proposed the following question. "Should marriage remain a union between a man and...

  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is inviting Estonians across the world to give feedback. We would like to know how Estonian communities around the world are satisfied with consular services and the level of inclusion.   Valuable feedback will help us plan development activities in a way that best...

Earlier in October, the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) sent policy questions relating to the interests of its member organizations’ constituents to both the Trump and Biden campaign staffs.   Topics included the current situation in Belarus, the role of the United States in NATO, U.S. relations with Russia,...

The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) recently prepared and sent its questionnaire for the 2020 Presidential candidates to both the Trump and Biden campaigns.   The CEEC has been sending questionnaires on our issues of interest to candidates on a nonpartisan and fully inclusive basis since the 1996 Presidential...

On October 7th, the embassies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) held their first meeting since the start of the pandemic.    Under normal circumstances, the embassies and JBANC meet three to four times annually to discuss upcoming events, policy and legislative priorities,...

While Congress enters its pre-election recess, the Estonian American National Council (EANC) will stay in touch with Congressional staffers to ensure issues important to Estonian Americans aren’t forgotten as the elections become the focus of attention.    EANC actively advocates with Congressional offices to express support for legislation that impacts...

On September 18th, the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) held a virtual policy discussion on the Kremlin's disinformation campaigns, Putin's recent attempts at revisionism, their role in the changing political landscape, and implications for upcoming elections.   Panelists explored effective counter-narratives to fight back on multiple levels, including in...

Ambassador Jonatan Vseviov and Alvar Soosaar. Photo by Estonian Embassy in Washington   In September, Alvar Soosaar began his term as Director of U.S. investment and Trade out of the Embassy in Washington, DC.   His naming came as part of the expansion of Estonia’s business diplomacy efforts in the...

  Statement by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden.   The Foreign Ministers of the Nordic-Baltic 8 – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden – condemn in the strongest possible terms the usage of a chemical nerve agent of the Novichok group to poison...

More photos here.   Estonian Americans in several communities came out to show their support for the ongoing fight for democracy in Belarus. Socially-distanced, COVID-aware rallies have been held across the U.S. in recent weeks as outrage over disputed elections and demand for change continue in Minsk and beyond.  ...