Estonia is a country member of the United Nations that has participated with determination  in the solutions of the diverse current international problems, specifically with Peacekeeping Forces. In recent years Estonia has ratified the Anti-Terrorist Convention of the United Nations as well as all the Declarations of the UN on Human Rights, the last being the UN Convention of the Children´s Rights.

Since the recuperation of its independence, Estonia has been especially dynamic in developing its relations with other countries, particularly with the other Baltic countries, Nordic countries, Great Britannia, Germany and France. The relations with the USA play an important role, too, particularly in marking the Defence and Security Policies as well as the economic sphere (investments – technical cooperation).

However the bilateral relations with the Central European countries, especially Poland, Hungary and the Check Republic (today members of the EU) have been important to Estonia. The important relationship with Russia is maintained due to its nearby location and the problematic relation as one of the principal commercial partners and because of the Russian population that resides Estonia (approx 27%).

In recent years contacts with Asian countries have been initiated, especially with Japan and China. These contacts open new possibilities in economic and commercial fields.

Recently Estonia was granted accession to the EU and the NATO along with nine other countries. In the late 2003 referendum, 67% of the population manifested its total support for becoming a member of the EU. Thus Estonia´s foreign policy has been almost exclusively concentrated on the integration to the EU and NATO.

Despite this, the Chancellor´s Office of Estonia has been, since midway through 2003, dedicated to carry out a research on redefining Estonia´s new objectives in its foreign policy. The current policy implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Relations is strictly tied to the general development of Estonia, creating a “Better Estonia to a Better Europe” and to maintain the capacity (being a small country) to manage and achieve its interests in a globalized world. Despite this, the new objectives (in detail) of its “ new foreign policy”  remain undisclosed.

In the case of Latin America the connection is minimal if you don´t take all the embassies in our continent into account. The Ambassador of the USA is accredited for the majority of the countries in Central and South America, furthermore Mexico. In spite of this there are a number of Honorary Consuls in many of the Latin American capitals, such as in Chile and Argentina, especially in countries with many Estonians.

The Prime Ministers of Finland and Estonia, Matti Vanhanen and Andrus Ansip met in Helsinki last May. The meeting clarified the bilateral relationship between the countries as being close. Other objectives of the meeting dealt with establishing a greater number of political encounters of high level, creating new routes of navigation between the main ports and developing scientific cooperation. It is of importance to note that Finland was the first country Ansip visited after his nomination as Prime Minister.

In addition an issue to highlight is the signing of the Frontier Treaty in May between Russia and Estonia that gave closure to the counterclaims Russia had on certain frontier districts. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of both countries participated in the ceremony of signing the Frontier Treaty between the Governments of Estonia and the Russian Federation and the Contract of Delimitation of the Maritime Zones in the Gulfs of Finland and Narva. In spite of this, Russia discredited the treaty at the end of June subject to certain amendments made by the Estonian Parliament to the text of the contract´s draft previously to its rectification. This surely implies that the countries should proceed to reinitiate negotiations.

Peru established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Estonia on the 27 July 1995 in conjuction of signing the Mutual Communiqué in which the diplomatic relations are established at Ambassadors level but not the residents.

The Peruvian Embassy of Helsinki is the representative office for the Republic of Estonia.

Estonia is interested to strengthen its political relations with Peru. In addition, commercial and co-operation contracts could be signed and thus these relationships intensified.

Equally, by virtue of the recent accession of Estonia to the EU, potential to advocate Estonia´s support in some concrete issues and aspects of our country´s relationship with the EU has emerged.

Regarding commerce, Peru exports to Estonia consumer goods such as cotton clothes, fish flour and textiles. Also vegetables, root vegetables, fish preserves, coffee, cocoa and clothes accessories are exported. In 2003 the exports grew to 1,7 million US dollars (equivalent to 22 million Estonian Kroons).

Likewise, Estonia exports consumer goods to Peru. Also they export machinery and electronic parts and spare parts as well as minerals, carbon and paper. In 2003 Estonia exports to Peru were worth 250 million US dollars (equivalent to 3 million Estonian Crowns).

By virtue of the recent accession of Estonia to the EU and the ongoing negotiations between the EU and the Andean Community of Nations, the economic and political relations between many countries could be developed.

Bilateral cooperation has emerged and is present, principally in the mutual political support in the international organisations. This could expand to academic and scientific cooperation, too (exchange of international students, professors, scientists and technicians).

Peru has placed an Honorary Consul in the University town of Tartu (Estonia) since 1998. The Consul is Mr Ricardo Mateo Durand, Professor of Spanish in the University of Tartu. He was the first Latin American resident in Estonia.

Our community in Estonia of approximately 20 people, 13 of which are registered in the Honorary Consulate, is very small. This Consulate implements some 70 events and acts annually and raised more than 1 million dollars in 2003. In 2004 the estimated sum remains at a half a million, given that the Estonians do not require a visa to enter our country anymore.

Tel: + 372 7 484 724,  cel +372 50 56365.
e-mail : pupomateo@hotmail.com.