Diplomatic relations between Estonia and Armenia were established on 23 August 1992. Ambassador of Armenia Ashot Hovakimyan presented his credentials to President Lennart Meri in October 2000. The ambassador resides in Warsaw.

Armenia’s Honorary Consul Garik Iknoyan has been in office in Estonia since September 1999, and he is also the Chairman of the Society of Estonian Armenians and the official representative of the Armenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Less than 2,000 Armenians reside in Estonia.

In October 2001 the Armenian Foreign Ministry consented to the appointment of Avetik Gukasyan as the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia in Armenia.

Relations between Estonia and Armenia are stable and good, but not optimally developed, mainly because of modest reciprocal economic contacts.

Visits

Agreements

• Protocol on Co-operation between the Estonian and Armenian Ministries of Foreign Affairs (signed on 17.03.2000, entered into force on 09.10.2001)
  
  
• Agreement of Aviation Transport (signed on 17.03.2000; entered into force on 09.10.2001)
  
  
• Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital (signed on 13.04.2001)
  
  
• Agreement on Co-operation in the Fields of Commerce and Economy is ready to be signed.

Economic Relations

Economic relations between Estonia and Armenia are modest. During the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs Toomas Hendrik Ilves to Armenia in 2001, it was agreed that the widest possibilities for co-operation between the two countries related primarily to information technology and tourism. During their meeting with Foreign Minister Ilves the Armenian representatives expressed interest in Estonia’s experience with information technology, particularly related to the public sector, since the Government of Armenia had proclaimed information technology a key development policy and had adopted a program whereby all Armenian schools should have computers by the year 2005.

TRADE

Based on the turnover of goods in 2001, Armenia ranked 97th as Estonia's export partner and 90th-100th import partner. Trade volume between Estonia and Armenia amounted to 256 thousand EUR.

Source: Statistical Office of Estonia

Estonia's primary exports in 2001 comprised of paints, varnishes, metal fabrications and parts for static converters, and re-exported foodstuffs and cars. Imports for domestic consumption included wine, brandy and almonds.

Main export articles in 2001

• Metals and articles of metal - 28%
• Static converters - 16%
• Paints - 8%

Main import articles in 2001

• Food products, beverages - 88%
• Vegetarian products - 12%

In the first quarter of 2002, Estonian-Armenian trade turnover amounted to 77 thousand EUR, from which exports were 26 thousand EUR and imports 51 thousand EUR. Only metal products were exported to Armenia during the first quarter, as to imports, wood comprised a half and brandy almost the other half.

DEVELOPMENT AID

In the framework of development aid, the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs arranged an IT seminar for Armenian state officials in October 2001 in co-operation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications. In June 2002, a seminar introducing Estonian health care and health insurance system reforms was organized in co-operation with Ministry of Social Affairs.

Education and Culture

Tartu University and Yerevan University have had historically good contacts. In the last century books in the Armenian language were printed in the printing house of Tartu University. In the period 1830 -1836 Khatchatur Abovyan, the founder of Armenian literature and literary language, studied in Tartu, as did Stephanos Nazaryan, a leader of the Armenian movement of national enlightenment. In the 19th century, the well-known Armenian poets Rafael Patkanyan, Gevorg Dodokhyan and Gevorg Barhudaryan and doctors Mikael Minrimanyan and Grigori Mednikyan studied in Tartu. At the beginning of the 20th century fraternities of Armenian students were active at the university.

In Estonia, the Armenian National Society co-ordinates the activities of Armenian societies and associations in Estonia. The first society, the Armenian Cultural Society, was created in Tallinn already in 1988. In March 1999, on the initiative of the National Society, the Armenian Cultural Centre was opened in Tallinn in Kuninga Street.

In 1994 the Estonian Gregorian Congregation of the Armenian Apostolic Church was established.

Several exhibitions of Armenian artists organized by the Armenian Estonian Diaspora have taken place in Tallinn, with artists such as Rafael Arutyunyan participating.

On the Internet one can find the Armenian portal in Estonia
at the address http://www.hot.ee/armenia.