Estonia–Spain relations

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Estonia–Spain relations

Overview
Estonia and Spain maintain bilateral ties as members of the European Union, NATO, the Council of Europe, and the United Nations. Estonia has an embassy in Madrid, and Spain has an embassy in Tallinn. Both countries cooperate closely within shared international frameworks.

History
Spain first recognized Estonia’s independence in 1921. After Estonia regained independence from the Soviet Union, Spain again recognized it in 1991, and diplomatic relations were established on September 10, 1991. Spain opened an honorary consular office in Tallinn in 1992 and later its full embassy there in 2004. Estonia opened an embassy in Madrid in 1997. Since then, the relationship has developed within the European Union and other multilateral settings.

Economic relations
Trade between the two countries has grown. In 2007, Spain exported about 120 million euros worth of goods to Estonia and Estonia exported about 54 million euros to Spain. Estonia’s main imports from Spain include automobiles, tractors, ceramics, and fruits, while Spain mainly imports fuel, mineral oils, wood, charcoal, and steel products from Estonia. Investment between the two countries has been modest and fluctuating. In 2006, Estonia’s investment in Spain was around 6,100 euros and rose to about 1.98 million euros in 2007; Spain’s investment in Estonia was about 1.02 million euros in 2006 and about 283,000 euros in 2007. In 2008, the Estonian Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was established in Tallinn to boost ties.

Diaspora
In 2007, about 54 Spaniards lived in Estonia, with around 55 Spaniards residing there without becoming permanent residents.

Tourism
Spanish tourism to Estonia has been increasing, with around 15,150 Spanish tourists spending at least one night in Estonia in 2006. Many Spanish visitors arrive by cruise or as day-trippers from Helsinki, so total Spanish visitation may be higher. Estonia participates in major tourism fairs in Spain, and Estonian Air has operated a Tallinn–Barcelona route since 2006.

Cultural relations
Spanish language and culture links are growing. Since 1996, Spanish studies have been offered at the University of Tartu; the University of Tallinn began offering Spanish in 2001, and since 2003 there is a Cervantes Institute examination center in Tallinn.

Agreements
Estonia and Spain have signed several accords, including:
- 1997: Agreement on international road transport
- 1998: Agreement for the Protection of Investments
- 1999: Protocol of cooperation between ministries of defense
- 2000: Visa abolition agreement, readmission agreement, and extradition agreement
- 2005: Agreement to avoid double taxation
- 2007: Agreement for the protection of classified information and cooperation in culture and education

Diplomatic missions
- Estonia has an embassy in Madrid.
- Spain has an embassy in Tallinn.

See also
- Foreign relations of Estonia
- Foreign relations of Spain