30 Years of Diplomatic Relations Between Estonia and Andorra

On April 11th 1996, the Estonia and the Principality of Andorra officially established diplomatic and consular relations by signing a joint communique in Paris.

For the 30th anniversary year, we have compiled a timeline of relations between Estonia and Andorra providing an overview of the unique and important moments of the relations between the two countries in 30 years.

Happy time-travelling!

Estonian Embassy in Spain
Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

11 April 1996

Signing of the joint communique establishing diplomatic relations between Andorra and Estonia

Joint communique signed between the representatives of Estonia and Andorra

The document was signed in Paris by Andres Tomasberg, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Estonia to France, and Meritxell Mateu Pi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Principality of Andorra to France.

18 March 2001

Ruth Lausma-Luik became the first Ambassador to Andorra

On 18th of March 2001, the president of the Republic of Estonia, Lennart Meri, appointed Ruth Lausma-Luik to be the first Ambassador to the Principiality of Andorra. She held the position from 2001 to 2004 residing in Tallinn.

5 May 2005

Andres Rundu presented his credentials to the Bishop Joan Enric Vives i Sicília

Estonia had recently become a member state of the EU and the meeting discussed the possibilities of intensifying cooperation between Estonia and Andorra in the new conditions. Andres Rundu held the position of Estonian Ambassador to Andorra and Spain residing in Madrid from 2005 to 2009.

12 July 2007

Concert of the Arsis Bell Ensemble in the National Auditorium of Andorra

It was the first ever joint Estonian-Andorran cultural project. The concert was organized by the Estonian Embassy in Madrid in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Andorra. Among others, the concert was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Andorra, Ms. Meritxell Mateu Pi, and the Chairman of the National Audit Office of Andorra, Mr. Carles Santacreu Coma.

1 March 2008

Celebration of Estonian 90th Anniversary of the Republic of Estonia

The event was celebrated in the National Auditorium with the concert of ETV Girls' Choir conducted by Aarne Saluveer. The reception following the concert was attended by members of the government and parliament of Andorra, as well as representatives of the business and cultural communities.

5 June 2008

Jaume Gaytán Sansa, the first Ambassador of Andorra to Estonia presented his credentials to President Toomas-Hendrik Ilves

The Ambassador Jaume Gaytán Sansa resided in Lisbon and held the position for two years in 2008 and 2009.

16 November 2009

Toomas Kahur presented his credentials to the Bishop Joan Enric Vives i Sicília

After Andres Rundu, the position of Estonian Ambassador to Spain and Andorra was held by Toomas Kahur until 2014.

11 April 2013

The opening ceremony of the Honorary Consulate in Andorra la Vella

In 2012, Antoni d’Ortodó Lloveras-Puig was appointed Honorary Consul of Estonia in Andorra la Vella. The Honorary Consulate was opened on April 11, 2013 by Undersecretary Lauri Bambus and Ambassador Toomas Kahur.

22 July 2013

Concert of Estonian Girls’ Choir Ellerhein in Andorra

Invitation to the concert of Ellerhein. Photo: Embassy of Estonia in Madrid.

In addition to participating in a music festival in Catalonia and several concerts in various cities, Ellerhein gave a concert in the church of Andorra’s patron saint Our Lady of Meritxell (Santuari de Nostra Senyora de Meritxell).

19 June 2014

Photo exhibition of Estonian lighthouses inaugurated in Andorra

Ambassador Toomas Kahur with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Gilbert Saboya Sunyé. Photo: Embassy of Estonia in Madrid

Ambassador Toomas Kahur opened a photo exhibition of Estonian lighthouses in Andorra on June 19, 2014. The opening ceremony counted with the presence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Andorra, Gilbert Sunyé Saboya. The exhibition was on display in the lobby of the Caldea water park in Andorra la Vella until July 20.

30 June 2014

Rasmus Lumi was named as the Ambassador of Estonia to Andorra

Presenting credentials to the Co-Prince Bishop S.E. Mons. Joan Enric Vives. Photo: Servei Fotogràfic Govern d'Andorra.

Rasmus Lumi presented his credentials to Joan Enric Vives I Sicilia, Bishop of La Seu d'Urgell, on May 14, 2015. He resided in Madrid and held the position until 2019.

18 November 2016

Inauguration of photo exhibition "Four seasons of Estonia"

Ambassador and Honorary Consul opening the photo exhibition. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The photo exhibition introduced Estonia and consisted of various landscapes throughout the four seasons in Estonia. Among others, it featured the works of photographers like Alari Kivisaar, Meelis Adamson, Assar Jõepera and Irene Teesalu.

8 November 2019

Mariin Ratnik, Estonia’s Ambassador to Andorra presented her credentials to the Co-Princes of Andorra

Photo: Ghislain Mariette / Présidence de la République

On November 8th, the new Estonian Ambassador to Andorra Mariin Ratnik presented her credentials to Co-Prince, Bishop Joan Enric Vives i Sicília. On December 10th, she also presented her credentials to the Co-Prince, President of France Emmanuel Macron.

13 March 2023

Estonian Ambassador to Andorra, Andres Rundu, presents his credentials to Bishop Joan Enric Vives i Sicília

Andres Rundu presenting credentials to Bishop Joan Enric Vives i Sicília. Photo: Government of Andorra

Andres Rundu was appointed as the Ambassador to Andorra in November 2022 for the second time after holding the position also from 2004 to 2009. He presented his credentials Joan Enric Vives i Sicília on March 13th 2023.

15 April 2024

Andorran prime minister Xavier Espot Zamora visits Estonia

Kallas at a meeting with the Prime Minister of Andorra. Photo: Aron Urb

Prime Minister Kaja Kallas met with Xavier Espot Zamora, Prime Minister of the Principality of Andorra to discuss support for Ukraine, bilateral relations, including cooperation on digital issues, and relations with the European Union. Xavier Espot Zamora was the first prime minister of Andorra to visit Estonia.

11 December 2024

Elisenda Vives Balmaña presents her credentials to president Alar Karis

Elisenda Vives Balmaña presents her credentials to president Alar Karis. Photo: Egert Kamenik

During the meeting with the Ambassador of Andorra, the Estonian Head of State expressed his satisfaction with the enhanced bilateral relations and commended Andorra for its foreign policy that shares the same values as the European Union in supporting Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia. President Karis highlighted the successful cooperation with Andorra within the framework of the United Nations. The Ambassador resides in Andorra.

23 September 2025

Foreign Minister Tsahkna meets Andorra’s Foreign Minister

Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Estonia and Andorra in New York

On 23 September during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna met with Imma Tor Faus, Foreign Minister of the Principality of Andorra. During the meeting, a memorandum of understanding on the restoration of a hobby school in Ukraine and an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation were signed.

11 April 2026

30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Andorra and Estonia