Estonia » International Relations

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Estonia's Relations with the UK

In April 2004 Estonia formally joined NATO and on 1 May 2004 also became member of the EU, thereby completing two long-term foreign political objectives, which had shaped Estonian policy choices for more than a decade.

Estonia was in the first wave of Central European countries invited to begin negotiations to join the EU, in 1998. Negotiations were relatively smooth, culminating in the invitation issued in Copenhagen in December 2002. Estonia was one of the best-performing EU candidates in terms of closing chapters of the acquis, implementing its commitments, and exemplifying clean government. Agriculture has been the most contentious issue in Estonia, quotas for sugar and milk were considered too low. The UK view has been that, in the absence of scope for further concessions, CAP reform is the best solution. Estonia was granted the exceptional right to hunt bears and lynx: not endangered species in this forested country. Estonia will gain financially from EU accession but will need to prepare to apply for Structural and Cohesion funds. As an EU partner, the UK can expect a like-minded approach from Estonia to questions such as tax harmonisation, trade policy and social policy.

The Baltic States have developed a wide network of co-operation. Intergovernmental co-operation is managed in the framework of the Baltic Council of Ministers. Heads of State and Government meet regularly at least once a year. Co-operation focuses on areas such as trade, economic relations and EU/NATO integration.

Britain is a major investor in Estonia, and British exports to Estonia are significant, (92m in 2003, £106m in 2004). Estonia makes very substantial exports to the UK, notably food and timber products (£268m in 2003, £380m in 2004).