Estonia and Poland

16.09.2009

Poland recognised Estonia's independence on 31 December 1920 and re-recognised it on 26 August 1991. Diplomatic relations between Estonia and Poland were re-established in September 1991.

Estonia opened its Embassy in Warsaw in the autumn of 1995. Chargé d'Affaires a.i. was Riho Laanemäe. In 1996, Peeter Restsinski became the Estonian Ambassador to Poland residing in Warsaw. In 2000 the Estonian Ambassador to Poland was Aivo Orav, from 2005 until 2009 the ambassador was Ants Frosch. As of August 2009, the Estonian Ambassador to Poland is Taavi Toom.

Estonia has three Honorary Consuls in Poland. Robert Kornecki has been running the consulate in Szczecin since October 2002. The jurisdiction of the consulate comprises of the administrative districts of Zachodniopomorskie, Pomorskie, Wielkopolskie and Lubuskie. On 11 March 2005, a second Estonian Honorary Consulate was opened in Poznan, led by the rector of the Poznan School of Social Sciences Professor Michal Iwaszkiewicz. The jurisdiction of the Honorary Consulate is the Wielkopolskie administrative district. On 20 June 2006, the Honorary Consulate in Krakow was opened, led by lawyer Piotr Paluch. The jurisdiction of the newest consulate comprises of the administrative districts of Malopolskie, Podkarpackie and Slaskie

The Polish Embassy in Estonia was opened in Tallinn in August 1993. Ambassador Jakub Wolasiewicz presented his credentials in November 1994, Ambassador Wojciech Wróblewski assumed the post in June 2001. As of August 2005, the Polish Ambassador to Estonia is Tomasz Chloń.

Visits of Importance

A fresh impetus and meaning to Estonia and Poland's relations was given by the start of the European Union enlargement process, as they co-operated closely within the work of the Luxembourg and Laeken groups. Active communication has continued within the membership of the European Union as well.

Parallel to the EU subject matter, security policy related co-operation has become important. Poland supported Estonia’s recent accession to NATO and has twice already participated in patrolling Baltic airspace. Consultations occur regularly on the topics of the European Union and consular and political issues.

Regular bilateral meetings take place with the heads of parliament and different commissions. An Estonian-Polish parliamentary group has been established in the X Riigikogu, which has 10 members and is headed by Aadu Must.

Agreements

• Agreement on Cultural and Scientific Co-operation (came into force 28.01.93);
• Agreement on the Abolishment of Visa Requirements (came into force 02.03.93);
• Agreement on Friendly Co-operation and Neighbourliness of the Baltic Sea States (came into force 06.05.93);
• Agreement on the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments (came into force 06.08.93);
• Agreement on International Road Transport (came into force 30.10.93);
• Agreement on Co-operation Between Region and Local Governments (came into force 24.01.94);
• Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital (came into force 09.12.94);
• Agreement Concerning Civil Air Transport (came into force 06.11.95);
• Consular Agreement (came into force 12.01.97);
• Agreement on Rendering Legal Aid and Legal Relations in Civil, Work and Criminal Matters (came into force 08.02.00);
• Agreement on Mutual Protection of Classified Information (signed 12.05.03, came into force 09.06.05);
• Agreement on the Fight Against Organised Crime and Other Criminal Activities (came into force 07.02.04);
• Agreement on Co-operation in Tourism (signed 22.09.04).

After accession to the European Union, Estonia has terminated all free trade agreements with third party states. Thus, Estonia has terminated its free trade agreement with Poland along with other economic agreements. The economic relations are regulated by the regulations of the EU's internal market.

Economic Relations

TRADE

* Pre and post 1 May 2004 data are incomparable. After accession to the EU, the import is calculated on the basis of the sending country, earlier this was based on the country of origin.

In 2008 Poland ranked as Estonia’s 7th trade partner with a total trade turnover or 10.3 billion kroons, which makes up 3.4% of Estonia’s trade turnover. In 2008 Estonia exported 159.7 million euros’ worth of goods to Poland and imported 498.5 million euros’ worth of goods from Poland. Compared with 2007, Estonian exports to Poland grew by 31.7% and imports from Poland by 3.9%.

Main export articles to Poland in 2008:

• Metals and metal products – 40.7%
• Wood and wood products – 12.8%
• Means of transport - 10.7%
• Machinery and equipment – 8.4%
• Mineral products - 5.8%
• Plastic and plastic products – 3.8%

Main import articles from Poland in 2008:

• Mineral products - 15%
• Chemical products - 13.7%
• Machinery and equipment - 12.3%
• Metals and metal products - 11.1%
• Plastic and rubber products - 9%
• Agricultural products and foodstuff - 8.9%

All economic figures originate from the from the Statistical Office of Estonia

Poland is Estonia’s largest Central European trade partner. Trade between the two countries has been growing since 1993. In following the dynamics of Estonian-Polish trade, it can be said that Poland is a stable and firm trade partner. This is shown by the fact that trade with Poland has grown similar to the growth of Estonia’s total trade. While in 1995 Estonia enjoyed a trade surplus with Poland, within the period of 1996-2007 imports remarkably surpassed exports.

There are several reasons for this. One reason was the absence of a free trade agreement between the two countries until the beginning of 1999. While Estonian entrepreneurs were hindered in their access to the Polish market, Estonia employed a duty-free foreign trade policy. Secondly, Polish goods have been quite popular in Estonia due to the favourable relation between price and quality. However, Estonian goods are not well known in Poland.

INVESTMENTS

The investment activities between Estonia and Poland was in recent years relatively sluggish. According to Bank of Estonia data, as of 31 December 2008 Estonia’s direct investment position in Poland was about 90.1 million euros, which makes up 1.9% of direct investments in foreign countries (placing Poland in 8th place). Polish direct investments were significantly smaller, -3.36 million euros, making up 0.0% of direct investments made in Estonia by foreign countries.

According to the business registry, as of February 2009 there were 700 enterprises with Polish participation working in Estonia, most of them in wholesale and retail trade.

TOURISM

The prerequisites for tourism between Estonia and Poland are favourable, but there is a potential for a lot more, on condition that the construction of the transport network, especially the Via Baltica and Rail Baltica is advanced. Especially as to the Via Baltica, the Baltic countries have made a lot more progress. Since the end of March 2000, a regular bus line was launched between Estonia and Poland. In October 2000 the Polish airline LOT resumed regular flights between Tallinn and Warsaw, which then ended in October 2008.

Taking into consideration the fact that the Polish travel more and more each year (38.3 million trips a year. In 2007 the number of trips increased by 14%) and spend a lot while travelling (averagely 400 euros during a trip), there still is potential left for Estonia. The number of Polish tourists increased considerably in 2007 (30% compared to 2006). In 2007 18500 Polish tourists stayed overnight (ca 38000 nights). The number of Polish visiting Estonia grew in 2008 as well. According to Statistics Estonia data 20 859 Poles used accommodation in Estonia and stayed for a total of 48 254 nights. This means a growth of 12% in the number of people using accommodation compared with 2007 and a 26% increase in nights stayed.

About 236 000 Estonian residents visited Poland in 2007, the majority of whom visited Poland privately or in transit. In 2008, 41 700 Estonians spent the night in Polish tourism establishments (-23%). Estonian travel agencies sent 5 312 Estonian residents to Poland in 2007 and 4 783 in 2008.

Cultural Relations

Literature

During the past decades, the works of Sienkiewicz, Žeromski, Dąbrowska and Milośći have been introduced to Estonian readers through the translations of Hendrik Lindepuu, Aleksander Kurtna and Ruth Karemäe. Polish readers would be familiar with the works of Estonians Tammsaare, Kross, Valton and Niit.

In 1997, the Estonian National Library in co-operation with the Polish National Library and the Polish Embassy opened an exhibition of Polish literature consisting of more than 100 books.

Translator Ruth Karemäe was chosen in the autumn of 2002 along with 16 people to receive a special diploma from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland for helping introduce Poland to the world.

Among the events of 2006, Aarne Puu’s poetry evenings in Krakow and Poznan as well as Mihkel Kaevats’s participation in the poetry festival Poetry Waves can be pointed out.

In the field of the Estonian language and poetry, in 2007 the co-operation with the Austrian Cultural Forum was continued with the arrangement of a poetry camp, in which also Paavo Piik participated. In addition to the exchange of experience, his poetry was also translated into Polish. Aarne Puu’s collection of poetry „Kręgi Pamięci” was published in Polish, containing in addition to his own creative work also translations of several Estonian poets. What should also be pointed out are the presentations in Warsaw and in the Catholic University of Lublin of “Estonica” edited by Raimo Pullat.

Theatre

Estonian theatre has traditionally been successful at the Contact Festival of Toruń. The 1992 Grand Prix was awarded to "The Punjaba Pot Works of Epp Pillapardi" by Priit Pedajas. Estonian theatres have often staged plays by such writers as Grotowski, Mrożek, Roszewicz, Andrzejewski and Schaeffer.

Art

Estonian graphic art has achieved good results at the Krakow International Graphic Art Triennial.

In 2005, the overview exhibition of Estonian textile art in Gdańsk and Szczecin got a very good reception. To the delight of art lovers, in 2005 also the joint exhibition of Jüri Arrak and Tauno Kangro “Vaimsus kunstis” (Spirituality in Art) reached Kraków and Warsaw. Out of the events of 2006, the following can be pointed out: the exhibition of the paintings by Anna Stankuc in Gdansk, the exhibition of the Estonian Academy of Arts „Õnn” (Happiness) in Poznan and Gdansk as well as the exhibition of publications introducing Estonia and Latvia at the Library of Warsaw.

As to exhibitions, the co-operation was continued in 2007 with the Baltic Sea Culture Centre in Gdansk, where at the international exhibition of modern art „Artist in Wonderland” works by Neeme Külm, Mari Laanemets and Killu Sukmit were presented. Jaan Toomik’s installation was part of an Asia-Europe multimedia project.

Music

For decades, the followers of the avant-garde have esteemed composer Krysztof Penderecki. A great event in 1999 was the performance of Penderecki’s oratorio "The Seven Gates of Jerusalem" by Polish soloists and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, with the maestro himself participating in the event.

A place in the international classical music calendar has been made for the International Chopin Music Competition for Young Pianists held in Narva and Kohtla-Järve.

Arvo Pärt's compositions have gained recognition in Poland. The venue of the fans of modern music, conductors and interpreters has for a long time been the Warsaw Autumn Festival. It is all the more delightful that for the opening concert of 2005, Helena Tulve’s work “Thaw” was selected to be performed.

Musically in 2007 Estonia was clearly visible thanks to professional concert managers. The Filharmonic Chamber Choir, Andres Uibo, Baltic Baroq, Zetod and „The Sun” have all been giving performances in Poland.

Cinema

Estonian films have also competed and won prizes at Polish film festivals. For example, Ülo Pikkov’s film "Bermuda" won "the Silver Dinosaur" at the international film-festival "Etiuda '98" in Krakow. In 1997, Valentin Kuik's documentary film "Flight" won the Grand Prix at the International "At Home" Ethnic Television Festival. In 2005, Jaak Kilm’s and René Reinumäe’s film “Pigs’ Revolution “was awared the 2nd prize of the Warsaw children’s and youth jury and Priit Pärn’s animation “Karl and Marilyn” was awarded the main prize of Etiuda&Anima festival. In 2006, Estonian animations and feature films were included in the programs of the Warsaw, Krakow, Bialystok, Lodz and Poznan film festivals.

The films "The Hotel of the Perished Alpinist", "Navigator Pirx" and "The Curse of the Valley of Snakes" made through Estonian-Polish co-operation became box-office hits in Estonia and Poland.

In 2007, attention may be primarily drawn to the good co-operation with the Polish film festivals; most spectacular was the „Estonian explosion” with 5 films at the Warsaw Film Festival (at which “The Class” by I. Raag won 2 prizes), also „Etiuda and Anima” in Krakow, where Priit Pärn was given Life’s Work Prize. „Camerimagel” as the newest Estonian animation, Estonian films at the Summer Film Festival in Torun.

Cultural events organized by Estonian Embassy

In March 2001, an ethnographic photo exhibition of the Estonian island of Kihnu took place in Poland, which was organised in concert by the Estonian Embassy and the Estonian society Pro Estonia. The authors of the photos were Radosław Surowiec and Rafał Kołaciński, ethnographers from Warsaw University.

In June 2001, the presentation of the book “From Versailles to Westerplatten: Estonian-Polish Relations Between the Two World Wars" by Prof. Raimo Pullat,the distinguished researcher of Estonian-Polish relations, took place in Warsaw. The Estonian translation of the Polish national epic "Pan Tadeusz" was also introduced.

In July 2001, the Estonian mixed choir “Noorus” participated in the international choral festival of Suwalk in Poland. It was followed by the performances of “Noorus” in Krakow, Wroclaw and Warzaw.

From April to November 2002, the Baltic Culture Centre located in Gdansk organized a project “New Estonia 2002” to promote Estonian culture. Within the framework of this project: a hundred Estonian cultural figures visited Poland. A grandiose exhibition of modern art was arranged, where Erki Otsman and Hortus Musicus gave concerts, and both children and adult book writers made sightseeing trips in Poland. The press positively reviewed the project. The Estonian Embassy gave support to the organizers.

In March 2003, the presentation of the Polish translation of the book “From Versailles to Westerplatten: Estonian-Polish Relations Between the Two World Wars" by Prof. Raimo Pullat took place in Warsaw and Krakow.

In February 2004, the Embassy in co-operation with the Wielkopolskie province organised an exhibition of Arvo Iho photographs along with an exhibition of Estonian bank notes in Poznan.

2005 can be considered to be the year of Estonian film. The Embassy developed co-operation with the Andersen Festival of Gdansk, TOFF of Torun, the Warsaw Festival, the MAFF of Warsaw, the Camerimage of Lodz and Etiuda&Anima Festival of Krakow, helping to show to the public of this place Estonian animations, documentaries and feature films. Generally, the film shows were sold out in advance.<(P>

In February 2006, on the initiative of Estophilic students of Jagiello University, the Estonian Culture Days took place in Krakow. Those interested in could enjoy Estonian folklore, literature, music as well as films. The Polish young people who had studied in Estonia shared their experiences and information on the Estonian language, culture as well as on study opportunities. In the same year, the Estonian Culture Days took place in Poznan also.

In March 2007, on the initiative of Estonian Honorary Consul P.Paluchi the Estonian Culture Days took place in Krakow. The patron of the days was Krakow City Government. The main idea was to convey the vision of Polish ethnographers, artists and musicians of Estonia and of Estonian culture. The program of the culture days was enriched by guests from Estonia Linnar Viik (phenomenon of e-Estonia) and the ethno rock group Zetod with its performances. The heyday of the Estonian days was a concert of Arvo Pärt’s works given to the full house by the Polish Pro Arte Chamber Choir.

The year 2008 took place under the auspices of celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Estonian Republic, due to which many projects were more expansive than before. The most noteworthy are the concerts organised in co-operation with the embassy and the honorary consuls that took place in the middle of October in Poznan, Krakow and Warsaw.

Estonians in Poland

The exact number of Estonians living in Poland is not available, but the Estonian Embassy estimates there to be between 50 and 100 expatriates. The uniting link for Poland's Estonians has so far been the Estonian Embassy and the Embassy's information bulletin "Circular Letter of Estonians in Poland", which has been published since March 2001.

Friendship Societies

The Polish-Estonian Friendship Association has been in operation since 1993, its chairman Mieczyslaw Maciejak was awarded the order of Terra Mariana 4th class in February 2002. The Polish-Estonian Friendship Association is composed of people interested in Estonia and organises regular cultural and economic events.

In March 2001, the Warsaw City Court registered the society Pro Estonia that helps to unite students and promotes Estonian culture in Poland. Besides culture, Pro Estonia also promotes the Estonian economy and politics by organizing various events and conferences. The Society has its own statutes, a 5-member board and a total of some 20 members, so-called estophiles residing in Poland. Pro Estonia has been very helpful to the Embassy in introducing Estonia in Poland.

Poles in Estonia

According to the 2000 census, 2,145 people (0.1% of the population) indicated their nationality as "Polish" of which a majority reside in the bigger cities (Tallinn, Narva, Kohtla-Järve). Most of them arrived in Estonia after World War II, immigrating from Poland's former Eastern provinces (Galicia, present-day Western Ukraine), but also from Central Asia, for example Poles deported to Kazakhstan after World War II and their offspring.

The Poles in Estonia are united by the Estonian-Polish Society "Polonia" that publishes a Polish language information bulletin Nasza Polonia ("Our Polonia") and in co-operation with Latvian and Lithuanian Poles publishes the bulletin Nasz Czas ("Our Time").

The Estonian-Polish Society has existed in Estonia since 1930, whereas its founding was preceded by mutual visits by the heads of state. The Honorary Chairman of the Society in the 1930s and 1940s was General Johan Laidoner. The Society was re-established in 1965 during Khrushchev's "thaw" as the Estonian-Polish Friendship Association, but after the restoration of the Republic of Estonia it was renamed the Estonian-Polish Society, in reference to the early years of the society and to Laidoner's activities. The Estonian-Polish Society has 40 members and their main areas of activity are cultural exchanges and the exchange of journalists.

In 2001, the Pro Polonia Society was founded in Tartu to unite Estonian students who are interested in Poland.

In addition to the Narva Polish Society, in Kohtla-Järve a Polish Society has been established.

Polish langauge is taught at the University of Tartu and at the Tallinn University.