Estonia Expels Russian Diplomats, Closes Two Consular Offices
Estonia will expel 14 of Russia’s consular staff and close consular offices in Narva and Tartu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on April 5. “There can be no talk of business as usual,” officials said. Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Estonia Vladimir Lipaev was summoned to the ministry and handed a diplomatic note regarding the closure of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Narva and the Consular Office of the Russian Embassy in Tartu. Estonia decided to expel and declare as persona non grata 14 of their staff, including seven employees with diplomatic status. Undersecretary Märt Volmer, who presented the note, said they must leave Estonia by April 30. (Pg 1)
Estonia and Finland to Create Joint LNG Terminal by Fall
On April 7, Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Taavi Aas and his Finnish colleague Mika Lintilä agreed that the two countries will pool their resources to rent a liquified natural gas (LNG) floating terminal meant to ensure gas supply security. “The gas supply of both Estonia and Finland depends strongly on Russia, which is why we need to have a backup plan and create preparedness for giving up Russian gas,” Aas said. (Pg 2)
Estonian Culture Days in New York Celebrated Its 50th Anniversary
The 50th annual Estonian Culture Days took place in New York from March 31 to April 3. The program was packed and saw top performers from various genres. There were numerous art exhibitions, a play presented by Tartu theater Vanemuine, chamber choir Collegium Musicale, celebrated opera sin-ger Ain Anger, pianist Kristjan Randalu, the band Curly Strings and rappers nublu and Gameboy Tetris from Estonia, as well as Estonian-American bassoonist Martin Kuuskmann. Following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, NY Kultuuripäevad were a great success. (Pg 1)
