Dear Estonians in Australia,
I know that Estonian communities all across Australia celebrated our national day over the weekend, and I sincerely hope it was a joyful and memorable occasion for everyone — one that brought our Estonian community even closer together.
This time, I had the pleasure of celebrating together with the Estonians in Adelaide, and I would like to share below some of the reflections I offered there.
Celebrating Estonia’s Independence Day nearly 15,000 kilometres from Tallinn always carries a special meaning. Distance, however, does not diminish belonging. On the contrary — it often deepens it.
What makes Estonia and Australia natural partners?
First and foremost, we share a firm commitment to freedom, democracy and the rule of law.
In recent years, our bilateral relations have grown steadily stronger. We have welcomed visits by Estonia’s Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, by our Minister of Education and Research, as well as several business delegations to Australia.
In just two weeks’ time, we will have the honour of welcoming Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna to Australia — the first visit by an Estonian Foreign Minister since the opening of our Embassy ten years ago. This marks an important milestone in our relationship. There are further high-level visits planned for later this year, although it is still too early to speak publicly about them.
The growing intensity of contacts alone brings our countries and our peoples closer together, especially now when we are living in a turbulent time for international relations. The rules-based order established after the Second World War is under considerable strain.
For eighty years, the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the prohibition of the use of force have protected states large and small. For small nations in particular, a rules-based order is not merely a preference — it is an existential necessity.
Dear friends,
This is why I wish to speak clearly about Ukraine.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is not a misunderstanding or a regional dispute. It is a direct violation of the United Nations Charter and a fundamental challenge to the international order. The deliberate targeting of civilians, the deportation of children, and systematic violations of humanitarian law demonstrate why these rules were established in the first place.
This war is not confined to Europe. It is an attempt to redraw borders by force and to reintroduce spheres of influence — concepts that many believed had been relegated to history.
For Estonians, this war resonates deeply. We know from our own experience what occupation means. We know what it is to have sovereignty denied and identity suppressed.
For fifty years, Estonia’s independence was extinguished — yet it was never legally recognised as such by many democratic nations. International law mattered. Principles mattered. And, they prevailed.
If aggression were to succeed in Ukraine, it would weaken the very principles that protect all nations — including those far from Europe. It would send a dangerous message that power can override law.
That is why Estonia’s support for Ukraine is principled and unwavering.
Supporting Ukraine is not an act of charity. It is a strategic investment in a world where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The global environment is undeniably complex. We observe growing tensions across regions, including here in the Indo-Pacific. Yet small states are not without agency. When we act consistently and speak with clarity, our voice carries weight.
President Lennart Meri once said: “If you are not visible and audible, no one will notice your disappearance.” Those words remain as relevant today as ever.
Estonia today is a confident, innovative and outward-looking nation. Together with our Nordic and Baltic partners, we represent a region known for resilience, technological advancement and a strong values-based approach to international affairs. We bring that spirit into our cooperation with Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific.
There is significant potential to deepen Estonia–Australia relations — in trade and investment, in digital innovation and cybersecurity, in education and research, and in strategic dialogue.
Dear Estonians,
Each of you plays a vital role in strengthening Estonia’s presence abroad.
By preserving our language and traditions, you sustain the foundation of our national identity. By engaging with Australian colleagues and friends, you build bridges of understanding and solidarity.
The generations who preserved Estonia in exile carried a profound responsibility. Our responsibility today is to ensure that freedom is safeguarded and that history does not repeat itself.
And my special message comes to the younger generation, echoing President Alar Karis at the ESTO 2025 Youth Conference:
Teostage end seal, kus elate ja kus teie anded on kasutatud, kuid teadke, et uks Eestisse on ka alati avatud. Contribute fully to the societies in which you live, where your talents are meaningful and valued – while knowing that Estonia always remains your home, with its door open.
Let us continue to strengthen the bonds between Estonia and Australia. Let us continue to stand firmly for democratic values and international law. And let us celebrate with pride the independence that was regained — and that we are committed to defend.
Elagu Eesti! Long live Estonia!
