Estonian Embassy in Ottawa

This week, a delegation of the Canada Friend Group of Riigikogu, the Estonian parliament, visited Ottawa.

Peeter Tali, Chairman of the group, Vadim Belobrovtsev, Lauri Laats and Tarmo Tamm met:
- Charles Sousa, Ahmed Hussen, Viviane Lapointe, Cheryl Gallant, James Bezan, Tim Watchorn at the joint informal meeting of the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committees of the House of Commons,
- Kurt Holman and Harb Gill of the Nordic Baltic Poland Friendship Group and
- James Maloney and Sima Acan of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association.

During the exchanges it was clear that challenges to the Euro-Atlantic security are best met by investing in our defences and supporting Ukraine. Canada's presence in neighbouring Latvia is a proof of strong commitment of allies to NATO members' security.
Mutual interest to further advance trade and investment in timber, minerals, defence and digital industries was proved by examples from both Canada and Estonia.
Some of which were evident at the Canada Europe Connect business seminar at Invest Ottawa venue Cours Bayview Yards.

Both Estonian and Canadian MPs agreed that parliamentary diplomacy is central to very good relations between friends and allies.

The Canada Europe Connects seminar — co‑organized by the Estonian Embassy, CityAge and Invest Ottawa— put the Nordic‑Baltic region in focus, with Estonia serving as the current Chair of the Nordic‑Baltic Cooperation (NB8). A central theme throughout the day was how to enhance trade between Canada and Europe, including growing opportunities in dual‑use technologies — an area where collaboration is accelerating rapidly.

We were honoured to have Mr. Peeter Tali, the Head of the EU Affairs Committee of Riigikogu, Mr. Egidijus Meilūnas, the Ambassador of Lithuania to Canada and Ms. Evaleen Jaager Roy, the Honorary Consul of Estonia in Vancouver take the floor among many other high‑level speakers. It was especially valuable to hear Mr. Yasir Naqvi, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade share the Canadian perspective at such a pivotal moment for transatlantic cooperation. Ending the day with the launch of the Ottawa chapter of the Estonian Canadian Business Chamber felt exactly right.

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🌍 Üleilmse eestluse uudiskirja maikuu number on ilmunud!
o Kui palju ikkagi on eestlasi välismaal?
o Vancouveri eestlased plaanivad tulevikku
o Noorema kultuuri häälekandja NoorKunst.com
o Ukraina toetamise heategevusüritus
o Global Estoniani Instagrami konto
o Parimad toiduained 2026
o Briti saadiku raamat Eestist
o …ja palju muud

EST
https://bit.ly/GE-05-2026
ENG
https://bit.ly/GE-05-2026-ENG

Nauditavat lugemist!
Telli igakuine uudiskiri:
https://globalestonian.com/et/uudiskiri

ENG
The May issue of the Global Estonians newsletter has been published!
• How many Estonians actually live abroad?
• Vancouver Estonians are planning for the future
• NoorKunst.com - a voice for younger culture
• A charity event in support of Ukraine
• The Global Estonians Instagram account
• Best food products of 2026
• The British ambassador’s book about Estonia
• …and much more
EST
https://bit.ly/GE-05-2026
ENG
https://bit.ly/GE-05-2026-ENG
Enjoy the reading!
Subscribe to the monthly newsletter:
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The traditional Canada–Baltics “3+1” Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, the Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Lithuania and the Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia took place in Tallinn today.

Building on earlier meetings in Lithuania (2020), Canada (2022), and Latvia (2024), Ministers reaffirmed the value of this format in strengthening coordination among close Allies and like-minded partners.

The four-party meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the Baltic States and Canada, regional security and transatlantic relations. It addressed Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine and the need to increase pressure on Moscow. Ministers highlighted Canada’s leadership of NATO’s Multinational Brigade in Latvia as a clear demonstration of Allied solidarity.

Among other things they also agreed to fully leverage CETA to deepen trade and investment ties in critical sectors such as defence, energy and information and communications technologies.

The foreign ministers issued a joint statement that can be found here: https://www.vm.ee/en/news/joint-statement-fourth-canada-baltics-31-foreign-ministers-meeting

Embassy of Latvia in Canada / Latvijas vēstniecība Kanādā Embassy of Lithuania to Canada/ Lietuvos Respublikos ambasada Kanadoje

Today, 20 May, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand visited Tallinn, where she met Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, and together they officially opened the Canadian embassy in Estonia.

“The official opening of the Canadian embassy in Tallinn is a clear sign of the strength and closeness of relations between Estonia and Canada. According to Tsahkna, Canada is an important transatlantic partner for Estonia and the wider region, whose contribution to regional security is significant. “We greatly value Canada’s leadership on NATO’s eastern flank, its presence in Latvia, and Canada’s long-standing and unwavering support for Ukraine,” he noted.

“Canada’s contribution to security in our region also directly supports economic security. This is also demonstrated by the magnet factory opened in Narva last autumn by the Canadian company Neo Performance Materials. Estonia is committed to supporting Neo’s operations in Estonia,” said Tsahkna.

Ministers Tsahkna and Anand also recognized the active role of the Estonian community in Canada in supporting relations between the two countries and peoples over the decades and into the future.

Three flags fly at the Embassy of Estonia in Ottawa today May 17th, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT).

Every day can be Mothers' Day:

💜 SHARE YOUR CARE — join Maple Hope Foundation's campaign dedicated to Mother’s Day, supporting Ukrainian women who have lost their children in the war

'Heal a Mother’s Heart' is an initiative that brings awareness to the human cost of war and raises funds for bereavement support programs for mothers in Ukraine who are coping with unimaginable pain of the loss.

Stand with us. Every act of support matters:

🟣 Choose a gift for Mother’s Day from our special charity merch collection — silk satin scarves with a meaningful story behind them. Order one for yourself or send it to a mother of fallen soldier in Ukraine.
🔗 Buy here: https://healing.maplehopefoundation.org/en/buy

🟣 Make a donation to support the fundraiser. Every dollar makes a difference.
🔗 Contribute here: https://healing.maplehopefoundation.org/en/donate

🟣 Help us spread the word. Share this post with your audience, or choose another one from the Maple Hope Foundation page to help bring this initiative to more people.

Let care become action. Together, we can help heal mothers’ hearts.