Poland in Estonia

Historical view 

The Republic of Estonia was de iure recognised by the Republic of Poland on 27th of January 1921. The appropriate document of recognition signed by minister of foreign affairs Eustachy Sapieha on 31st of December 1920, was presented to the authorities of Estonia on this day by the envoy of the Republic of Poland Leon Wasilewski. The 4th of May 1921 is considered as the date of the establishment of diplomatic relations, when the representative of the Republic of Estonia Aleksander Hellat presented his credentials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Warsaw. Nevertheless the first envoy of Poland Leon Wasilewski had been accredited earlier, on 24th of April 1920.

The interwar period was characterised by high dynamics of bilateral relations primarily as a result of geopolitical conditions as well as common historical background. The southern territories of Estonia had been at the end of the XVI century and the beginning of the XVII century under the rule of Poland, which established here the Pärnu and the Dorpat Voivodeships. District authority in Laiusein in the Dorpat Voivodeship has been the northernmost administrative centre in the whole history of Poland. In the second half of the XIX century Tartu (formerly Dorpat) became an educational centre on the basis of a Jesuit grammar school founded by King Stephen Báthory, which was important for the Poles, since it was one of only two universities in the Russian Empire where the language of instruction was not Russian. It is also here where the first Polish academic corporation in history – Convent Polonia was established.

After Estonia had gained independence, Polish-Estonian relations were, as professor Piotr Łossowski writes, „surprisingly lively, and, what is equally important, characterised by mutual good will, even friendship”. They culminated in the official visits of the presidents: Ignacy Mościcki’s in Tallinn and Konstantin Päts’s in Warsaw. Intensive contacts were developed not only in the field of political and military affairs but also in the area of economy, science and culture. Contacts of societal organisations, especially paramilitary ones, were of huge importance. A separate phenomenon was economic migration; in the late thirties of the XX century each year a few thousand seasonal workers from Poland arrived in Estonia to work especially in agriculture.

An iconic figure of the interwar period is a Polish woman Maria Kruszewska-Laidoner, wife of Johan Laidoner, the Commander-in Chief of the Estonian Armed Forces, in fact the First Lady of the First Republic of Estonia. Her legacy has been an important point of reference in mutual relations ever since.

Political cooperation after 1989

Diplomatic relations between Poland and Estonia were re-established on 9th of September 1991. On 2nd of July 1992 the Agreement on Friendly Co-operation and Neighbourliness of the Baltic Sea States was signed in Tallinn. The Polish Embassy in Estonia has been functioning in Tallinn since 1993, the Estonian Embassy in Warsaw since 1995. Poland and Estonia are bound by close ties of cooperation, boosted by both countries’ membership in the European Union and NATO. Foreign policy priorities of both countries in basic points are identical, there are no open questions in bilateral relations. Mutual relations are characterised by high dynamics of contacts at the highest level: between presidents, heads of parliament, premiers and ministers of the Cabinet, regardless of internal political circumstances. Recently a new impetus has been given to closer ties by parallel celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining and Estonia gaining independence. A great number of common events organised in the years 2017-2021 on this occasion have not only a symbolic or ceremonial dimension but also strengthen partnership relations. Security cooperation, both on a bilateral plane and in the framework of NATO obligations, deserves to be specifically emphasised. Polish air force regularly participates in patrolling the air space of the three Baltic states in the framework of the Baltic Air Policing mission. Poland and Estonia also cooperate closely to boost NATO’s presence on the so-called eastern flank. The development of regional initiatives, such as: the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, the Three Seas Initiative as well as the forum of cooperation of the Visegrad countries and the Nordic-Baltic states (V4-NB8), in which both Poland and Estonia play a substantial role, are of great importance.

Economic relations between Poland and Estonia develop successfully despite a huge difference in potentials and an imbalance in foreign trade. Data for 2018 indicate that Poland occupies a high position ranking seventh among Estonia’s trade partners with a turnover of nearly 1.3 billion euros. Polish exports to Estonia in 2018 amounted to almost 979 million euros, which represent over 6% of the total imports of Estonia. Polish imports amounted to 315 million euros, which represent over 2% of the total exports of Estonia. Poland therefore has a huge trade surplus; the balance of foreign trade at the end of 2018 amounted to 663.5 million euros. The most important commodity group in Polish exports to Estonia consists of products of the chemical and metal industries, mechanical and electric appliances and vehicles. Imports from Estonia include mainly machinery and mechanical appliances, timber and wood products, metal articles, metals and gemstones as well as products of the chemical industries. At the end of 2018, Polish direct investments in Estonia totalled 106.2 million euros (a 65% growth compared to the end of 2017). Estonian direct investments in Poland also increased (an 18% growth compared to the end of 2017) and amounted to 150.6 million euros. Among the numerous bilateral agreements providing the legal fundamentals for economic cooperation there are two which have special importance: the Agreement between the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Estonia for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital, concluded on 9th of May 1994 and the Agreement for the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments between the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Estonia, concluded on 6th of May. Poland has key importance for the development of infrastructure connecting Estonia with Europe. Priority is given to the construction of the Rail Baltic railway line, which is to connect Tallinn with Berlin and Warsaw, and to the improvement of the technical parameters of the road connection Via Baltica on international route E67. Warsaw has become a popular airline hub for Estonians thanks to the strategic alliance of LOT Polish Airlines with Estonia’s national carrier Nordica resulting in starting a couple of new daily flights. LOT Polish Airlines owns 49% of shares in Regional Jet, the daughter company of Nordica. Poland is also a key partner for Estonia and other Baltic states in the process of synchronisation of their electricity grids, still an integral part of the Russian system, with that of the European Union. Poland and Estonia belong to the supporters of close economic integration within the European Union, advocate the cohesion of the EU’s internal market and support the creation of a digital single market.

Polish-Estonian cultural cooperation is very intensive, much more so than it could be expected from its potential. Its main element is caring for the common historical heritage, especially in connection with the years long celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining and Estonia gaining independence as well as the centennial in 2021 of establishing diplomatic relations. The interwar period of twenty years is an important point of reference for our historical diplomacy, and a special place in our common history is reserved for a Polish woman, Maria Kruszewska-Laidoner, the First Lady of the First Republic of Estonia. In the promotion of Polish culture music traditionally plays an important role, especially classical music, jazz and folk music. Biennially, in late January, early February the International Chopin Competition for Young Pianists has been taking place in Narva for 20 years, bringing together gifted young people from about a dozen countries of the world. Polish jazzmen are present year in, year out in Tartu and Narva at the prestigious IdeeJazz Festival, which coincides with the National Independence Day. Leading Polish representatives of folk music are present every year at the biggest folk music festival in Estonia Viljandi Folk. Popularisation in Estonia of traditional Polish music as an essential element of cultural heritage will certainly get a boost through a ceremony of mutually handing over as gifts on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of traditional instruments: a Polish dulcimer, and, respectively, an Estonian kannel after an educational programme. Polish literature – both classic and contemporary – is well known to Estonian readers largely thanks to the prominent translator and publisher Hendrik Lindepuu, laureate of the prestigious Transatlantic Prize of the Polish Book Institute. In the cultural landscape of Estonia works of the Polish school of theatre and film arts are also permanently present. In recent years growing interest of Estonians has been attracted by Polish creative industries, among them architecture, design, computer games as well as the Polish school of illustration whose representatives, especially the younger generation, are published in Estonia, and their works enjoy tremendous popularity. Polish exhibitions and presentations are frequently hosted by the most prestigious venues in Estonia as the Estonian National Museum, the Estonian Museum of Arts or the Estonian War Museum – the Museum of General Johan Laidoner. Polish culture is permanently present not only in Tallinn but also in other cities like Tartu, Narva, Pärnu and Haapsalu as well as in numerous smaller communities where we present thematic exhibitions, which serve as a pretext to tell about contemporary Poland. 

Scientific cooperation is based on the Agreement on Cultural and Scientific Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Government of the Republic of Estonia, signed in Tallinn on 2nd of July 1992. Cooperation is characterised by decentralisation and developed directly by the universities and scientific institutions concerned. Cooperation between the Institute of National Remembrance and the Estonian Institute of Remembrance as well as between the General Directorate of State Archives and the National Archives of Estonia is essential for the caring for our common heritage. Two institutions of higher education: the University of Tartu and the University of Tallinn have Polish language courses. About 45 students participate in the two courses. For its historical ties with Poland, among other reasons, priority was given to the University of Tartu, where a lecturer assigned by the National Agency for Academic Exchange from Poland teaches the language. The three-semester Polish language course is mandatory for students of Slavistics (every two years in turn with the Czech language) as well as for students of Central and Eastern European studies. In addition, a facultative course is organised for all those interested from other age groups and specialties. The Polish language course at the University of Tallinn lasts two semesters and is not mandatory. The course is held by a local lecturer. In the framework of the student exchange programme Erasmus each year a dozen or so Polish students study at universities in Estonia.

Recognition of academic qualifications

Recognition of foreign education in Poland
Recognition of foreign education in Estonia