Estonian Ambassador to Afghanistan Presents Credentials

25.03.2008

In the discussions following the credential presenting ceremony, topics of discussion were Estonian and Afghan history, occupations, and chances for small nations to provide aid based on their experiences to nations that are just beginning to build themselves up. They also briefly spoke about Estonia’s support of Afghanistan through the European Union and NATO.

Ambassador Harri Tiido also met with Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mohammad Kabir Farahi, with whom he discussed opportunities for increasing the European Union’s role and visibility in Afghanistan. The two also exchanged thoughts on how Pakistan’s post-election developments will affect Afghanistan.

Afghanistan recognised Estonia’s restored independence on 7 September, 1991. Diplomatic relations between Estonia and Afghanistan were initiated on 1 July, 2005. Estonia’s first ambassador to Afghanistan resides in Tallinn.

Afghanistan remains one of Estonia’s top priorities for civil and military aid. Estonia opened a Special Diplomatic Mission in Afghanistan in September of 2006, which is currently overseen by chargé d’affaires Andres Kolk.

Harri Tiido was born on 8 October 1953 in Jõhvi. He completed secondary school in Tallinn and graduated from Tartu Ülikool with a degree in Romance and Germanic philology. In 1980 Tiido began working as a journalist for Estonian Radio and KUKU Radio, and from 1996-1997 he also worked for Voice of America. He was the editor-in-chief at KUKU Radio from 1997-2000.

Undersecretary for Security Policy Harri Tiido has worked for the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2000. From 2003-2007, Harri Tiido was the Estonian ambassador to NATO. Ambassador Tiido speaks English, Finnish and Russian.

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