The Estonian government's recent decision to close the Estonian Consulates General in New York and San Francisco is reverberating throughout Estonian-American communities. This unexpected, far-reaching action to close off primary points of entry to Estonia will have many repercussions and lasting consequences, and forever alters the dynamics of Estonian diplomacy. We, the concerned citizens, friends, and supporters of Estonia, urge Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Government to reconsider their decision to close these Consulates, which play an essential role in maintaining strong bilateral relations between Estonia and the United States, promoting cultural exchange, supporting Estonian diaspora, as well as facilitating trade and investment.

The Estonian Consulate General in New York has operated continuously since 1922. Under the leadership of legendary diplomat Ernst Jaakson, the consulate became a beacon of freedom for Estonia during the Soviet occupation, and contributed significantly to the future restoration and recognition of Estonia's independence.

More recently, the Consulate has been vital in developing Estonian economic relations, especially in the fields of technology and start-up business. The Consulate offers first-class information services to our American allies and advocates, serves local Estonian communities as a vital connection to our home country, and provides key representation in America’s largest city, and the center of the biggest business community in the United States.

New York City is not only a global financial hub but also home to international organizations where decisions impacting global affairs are made daily. Having an active consulate there ensures that Estonia's voice is heard on critical issues affecting our nation's interests at both regional levels such as NATO, or within broader contexts like human rights or cybersecurity, and a Consulate is often required for participation. While the UN Mission and Ambassador are there to address a global and international audience, the Consulate General is there specifically to address the United States, further underscoring the strategic importance of maintaining a highly visible flagship mission in the financial and cultural heart of Estonia’s most important security partner.

Meanwhile, the Estonian Consulate in San Francisco, strategically located in America’s most populous state, is a state-of-the-art hub for trade and finance, forging invaluable investment connections with nearby Silicon Valley, while maintaining essential alliances with prestigious California institutions such as Stanford University.

Estonia has experienced remarkable economic growth over recent years due to its innovative digital infrastructure and business-friendly environment. The presence of consular offices facilitates trade relations between Estonia's vibrant tech sector and American businesses looking for investment opportunities abroad. Closing these consulates would have potential economic consequences by hindering future collaborations and eliminating the Enterprise Estonia Foreign Representatives hosted by each consulate (a proven model of success for the country) which would be to Estonia’s economic detriment as well as against its national interests.

Additionally, Estonian Consulates are instrumental in promoting Estonian culture throughout the United States, supporting exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, and educational programs showcasing Estonia's rich heritage. By closing these consulates, we would lose an invaluable platform for cultural exchange and national visibility, which strengthens ties between Estonia and America, and generates grassroots support to lobby the US government in support of Estonia’s sovereignty and right to independence, should it ever be needed again.

Estonia also has a significant and active diaspora in both America’s East Coast and West Coast regions. The consulates provide essential services to these communities by offering consular assistance, helping with legal matters, and ensuring that citizens’ rights are protected abroad. These constituents of Estonia would be left without a local hub around which communities can organize its many spokes of activity. Subsequently, Estonia would lose invaluable professional and personal networks which cultivate additional support, opportunities, and beneficial friendships for the country, facilitated in large part by the actions and activities of the Consulates.

Beyond their obvious economic, diplomatic, and communal worth, maintaining multiple consulate locations ensures that Estonia has a visible presence in the vast environment of America’s economic activity, political decision-making, and cultural affairs, which stretches across 6 time zones. If the Consulates close, Estonia will forever lose invaluable and irreplaceable institutional links. We call upon Estonia’s government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop alternative solutions to preserve the vital functions of these consulates. Let us continue strengthening bonds between Estonia and America by keeping consulates open for future generations.