History of Diplomatic Relations

France recognised Estonia on 26 January 1921. The cornerstone of Estonia-France relations is France’s recognition of the Republic of Estonia’s legal standing—they never recognised the Soviet Union’s occupation of Estonia. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were re-established on 30 August, 1991.

French Ambassadors to Estonia

  • 1991-1994 Jacques Huntzinger
  • 1994-1998 Jacques Faure
  • 1998-2002 Jean-Jacques Subrenat
  • 2002-2006 Chantal de Bourmont
  • 2006-2009 Daniel Labrosse
  • 2009-2013 Frédéric Billet
  • 2013-2016 Michel Raineri
  • 2016-2019 Claudia Delmas-Scherer
  • 2019-2023 Éric Lamouroux

The current French ambassador to Estonia is Mr Emmanuel Mignot who presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Estonia, Alar Karis, on 22nd of August 2023.

Estonian Ambassadors to France

The first Estonian Ambassador in France was Karl Robert Pusta from 1918/1921 – 1932.

Estonian Ambassadors to France following re-independence:

  • 1991-1993 Malle Talvet (chargée d’affaires)
  • 1993-1997 Andres Tomasberg
  • 1998-2001 Ruth Lausma Luik
  • 2002-2006 Andres Talvik
  • 2006-2010 Margus Rava
  • 2010-2015 Sven Jürgenson
  • 2015-2019  Alar Streimann
  • 2019-2021 Clyde Kull

Estonian Ambassador Lembit Uibo presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of France, Emmanuel Macron, on 2 November 2021.

Estonia has four honorary consuls in France: Hugues Pouzet in Lyon, Hélène Berdoy-Mayer in Toulouse, Dominique Angles in Marseille and Jacques de Galzain in Bordeaux.