Estonian-Belgian Diplomatic Relations 100

We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Estonia and Belgium in 2021. Belgium recognised the Republic of Estonia as a Member of the Supreme Council of the Allies de jure on 26 January 1921, which laid the bases for formal diplomatic contacts.

We have prepared a timeline of the relationship between Estonia and Belgium for the jubilee. This is a chronological gallery of historical photos, documents and texts, which gives an overview of the unique and important moments in the relationship between the two countries over a period of 100 years.

To see the photo titles, move the cursor to the photo.

We thank everyone who has contributed to the collection of facts, photos and documents!

Enjoy the journey through time!

Estonian Embassy in Belgium
Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

24 February 1918

The Republic of Estonia was declared independent

Eesti iseseisvusmanifesti avalik ettelugemine Pärnu Endla teatri rõdult. (Foto: Pärnu Muuseumi kogu)

Public reading of the Estonian Declaration of Independence on the balcony of the Endla Theatre in Pärnu.

The Estonian Declaration of Independence was prepared on the initiative of the Salvation Committee and read out to the public from the balcony of the Endla Theatre in Pärnu on 23 February 1918. The next day, on 24 February 1918, the Salvation Committee declared Estonia an independent democratic republic.

11 November 1918

World War I ended

Young Estonian military courier 1918. Photo: Estonian National Archives

The most important result of the World War for Estonians and many other nations in Eastern Europe was the collapse of empires, which made it possible to create new nation countries.

18 January 1919

A peace conference convened after World War I took place in Paris and was attended by the Estonian delegation, led by Jaan Poska, as an observer.

Peace conference in Paris. Photo: Archives MFA France

The peace conference was attended by the Estonian delegation, led by Jaan Poska, as an observer. The War of Independence was ongoing in Estonia at the same time. The peace conference was held from 18 January 1919 to 21 January 1920. The goal of the Estonians was to protect Estonian interests and to obtain support and recognition in Paris.

2 February 1920

The peace treaty between the Republic of Estonia and Soviet Russia was signed in Tartu after difficult negotiations

Tartu rahulepingu allkirjad. Foto: Rahvusarhiiv

04a.tif

The treaty marked the end of the War of Independence in Estonia, which had lasted for about a year and a half, and was the first major achievement in the foreign relations of the young Estonian state. The eastern border of Estonia was determined in the treaty and Soviet Russia recognised the independence of the Republic of Estonia for all time.It also opened the road to international recognition as an independent state for Estonia.

7 June 1920

Belgium recognised the Republic of Estonia de facto

3 December 1920

Belgian government appointed Michel Nicaise as the consul to Estonia

Photo taken at the studio of photographer Parikas: Michel Nicaise in 1935, the Belgian consul to Estonia for 15 years.

Although Belgium had not yet recognised Estonia de jure, the Belgian government appointed Michel Nicaise, who knew the circumstances in Russia well, as the consul to Estonia. Nicaise worked as the Belgian consul for 20 years, i.e. until 1940, when the USSR occupied Estonia. After that, he went to work in the Embassy of Belgium in Stockholm.
The Waba Maa newspaper wrote on 3 December 1935: M. Nicaise has represented his home country here for all these years, contributing to the emergence and growth of friendly relations between Estonia and Belgium. As a friend of Estonia, he has worked hard to bring Estonia and Belgium closer culturally and economically. He is the author of most of the writings about Estonia published in the Belgian press. The Estonian-Belgian Chamber of Commerce and the Belgian-Estonian Chamber of Commerce in Brussels were established on his initiative.

26 January 1921

Belgium recognised the Republic of Estonia de jure alongside France, the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy

Liitlasriikide Kõrgema Nõukogu esimehe Aristide Briandi kiri Eesti esindajale Pariisis. Foto: Rahvusarhiiv

1 October 1921

Estonia opened an honorary consulate in Antwerp

The consul was Charles A. Aertssens, who held the position until 1929. Estonia also opened honorary consulates in Brussels and Geneva in 1926 and in Ostend in 1931. Liège was also the location of an honorary consulate.

15 June 1922

The first Belgian ambassador to Estonia, Bernand l’Escaille de Lier, who presented his credentials to the head of state, resided in Warsaw

Bernand l’Escaille’ volikiri. Foto: Rahvusarhiiv

See the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs for subsequent ambassadors.

14 December 1923

The first Estonian ambassador Karl Robert Pusta, who had been the first chargé d’affaires for Estonia in Belgium since 1921, was appointed to office

Pusta presented his credentials to Albert I, King of the Belgians, on 16 April 1924. He resided in Paris and remained in office until 1932. Estonia was represented in Belgium from the Estonian Embassy in Paris during the entire period between the two world wars.

See the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs for subsequent ambassadors.

29 April 1925

Estonia gave the Cross of Liberty VR I/1 to Albert I, King of the Belgians

Belgia kuningas Albert I

The Cross of Liberty was presented to the King by Ambassador Karl Robert Pusta on 8 August 1925.

28 September 1926

The economic union of Estonia and Belgium-Luxembourg entered into a trade and shipping agreement

Several other important agreements are entered into in the same year and the next: the declaration of mutual recognition of Estonian-Belgian tonnage certificates on 28 September 1926; Estonian-Belgian agreement on extradition of offenders on 11 November 1926; Estonian-Belgian Consular Convention on 8 February 1927.

5 January 1929

The second Belgian Ambassador to Estonia, Florent de Selys-Fanson

Eesti Vabariigi riigivanemale 5.01.1929. Vasakult: välisministeeriumi poliitikaosakonna juhataja Johan Leppik, saadik Florent de Selys Fanson, riigivanem August Rei, välisminister Jaan Lattik, riigivanema adjutant leitnant August Schiller (Siller). Foto: Rahvusarhiiv

The second Belgian Ambassador to Estonia, Florent de Selys-Fanson, who presented his credentials to the head of state, resided in Riga and had been chargé d’affaires ad interim in Estonia since 1927.

1930

The Estonian Society in Belgium

Management Board of the Estonian Society in Belgium. Sitting in the first row from the left: Vice-Chairman A. Pelmas, Treasurer H. Pelmas, Chairman A. Tali, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Society to Antwerp O. Gutman. Standing from the left: Assistant Secretary A. Lövend and Secretary J. Krusten. Photo: National Archives

A large number of Estonians ended up in Belgium after World War II, but some Estonians had settled there earlier and established the Estonian Society in Brussels, which was later renamed the Estonian Society in Belgium, at the Consulate of the Republic of Estonia in Brussels in 1930. The Estonian Society in Belgium is still working today.

1 January 1933

The second Estonian Ambassador to Belgium, Otto Strandman, was appointed to office

Ametisse nimetati teine Eesti saadik Belgias Otto Strandman. Foto: Välisministeeriumi arhiiv

Strandman presented his credentials to the King of the Belgians on 16 September 1933. He resided in Paris and remained in office until 1 October 1939.

5 June 1934

The extraordinary mission of the King of the Belgians, led by Senator de Savoye, arrived in Tallinn

Pidulik vastuvõtt belglaste kuninga erakorralise suursaadiku senaator de Savoye’ auks Kadrioru lossis 5. juuni 1934. Foto: Rahvusarhiiv

Reception in honour of Senator de Savoye, Ambassador Extraordinary of the King of the Belgians, at Kadriorg Palace on 5 June 1934.

The senator’s task was to inform the head of state about the death of King Albert and of the ascension of King Leopold III.

29 September 1935

The Estonian department was opened in the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels

It was opened by Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia Otto Strandman. The items handed over at the time are still exhibited in the museum: badges and decorations, three sets of clothes and photos which have since been digitalised.

1935

Items in the exhibition on the Estonian War of Independence sent to the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels

Osa Brüsselisse sõjamuuseumisse saadetavatest Eesti Vabadussõda käsitleva ekspositsiooni esemetest. Foto: Rahvusarhiiv

The same items are still exhibited in the museum today. See the photo below:

April-November 1935

The first time Estonia participated in the World Expo with its own exhibition

1935 maailmanäituse eesti osakond. Foto: Rahvusarhiiv

The first time Estonia participated in the World Expo with its own exhibition was in Brussels (in 1933, Estonia participated as a part of the Greek pavilion). Estonia didn’t set up a pavilion of its own this time either, as it would have been too costly, but participated with a special department in the hall of departments of trade. The purpose of participation was to introduce Estonian goods and handicrafts, thereby boosting trade between Belgium and Estonia. It was also important to show Estonia as a good tourism destination and pictures, diagrams, films and even a map with light effects were used for this purpose.

14 May 1938

An exhibition of modern Belgian art

Tallinnas avatud Belgia kunstinäituse puhul Tallinna saabunud Belgia delegatsioon külaskäigul Kunstihoones. Paremalt: haridusministri abi Voldemar Päts, Belgia konsul Tallinnas Michel Nicaise, Eesti-Belgia Kaubanduskoja abiesimees Arthur Hüüs, Belgia delegatsiooni juht P. Ectors, Eesti aukonsul Brüsselis Leon Drugmand, delegatsiooni liige pankur E.W. Tisquen, advokaat van der Veeren, Eesti-Belgia sõprusühingu esimees Tartus professor dr Ludvig Puusepp. Foto: Rahvusarhiiv

An exhibition of modern Belgian art with fifty pieces donated by Belgian artists was opened in Tallinn and the artworks were later used to create the collection of modern Belgian art in the Estonian Museum of Art.

23 August 1939

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

The map of the MRP with signatures. Photo: National Archives

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was signed in Moscow and it included a secret protocol, which divided Eastern Europe between Germany and the USSR and paved the way to the occupation and annexation of Estonia.

21 June 1940

The coup d’etat was carried out in Estonia with the support of the Red Army

The incorporation of the Republic of Estonia into the Soviet Union began. The government of the Estonian SSR decided to eliminate all embassies, consulates and honorary consulates of Estonia and hand their assets over to the local representations of the USSR. All foreign ambassadors in Estonia were ordered to leave by 25 August.
Belgium did not recognise the Soviet annexation of Estonia.

Read more on website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2 November 1953

In 1952 Karl Robert Pusta returned from the US to Europe and was the diplomatic representative of Estonia to Belgium

Pusta 1956. aastal, Rahvusarhiiv, Harald Perten

In 1952 Karl Robert Pusta returned from the US to Europe and was the diplomatic representative of Estonia to Belgium, Spain and France, residing in Madrid, from 2 November 1953 until his death in 1964.

1957

The Treaty of Rome

The Treaty of Rome, which brought about the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC) or the common market, which laid the foundation for the establishment of the European Union, was signed. The six founding members of the Community also included Belgium (the other countries were Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France and Germany).

24 February 1968

Celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia in Brussels

Eesti Vabariigi 50. sünnipäeva tähistamine Brüsselis. Foto: Rahvusarhiiv

Although the Estonian state had been wiped off the world map, the spirit of the Republic of Estonia remained alive among the Brussels Estonians from 1940–1991 and was expressed, among others, with celebrations of the anniversaries of the Republic of Estonia.

1988-1989

The Singing Revolution in Estonia and the other Baltic States in 1988 and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 brought extensive international support

23. augustil 1989 loodi MRP 50. aastapäeval kolme Balti riiki läbiv pikk inimkett, kus inimesed ühendasid oma käed, et juhtida tähelepanu Balti riikide olukorrale. Foto: Harald Leppikson, Rahvusarhiiv

A long human chain that passed through all three Baltic States where people held hands to draw attention to the situation in the Baltic States was created on the 50th anniversary of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact on 23 August 1989.

20 August 1991

The Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia accepted the resolution on the national independence of Estonia

The Republic of Estonia was restored on the basis of legal continuity.

27 August 1991

Belgium recognised the independence of the Republic of Estonia again

Vastuvõtul Eesti Vabariigi Ülemnõukogu esimehe Arnold Rüütli juures.. Foto: Rahvusarhiiv

At the reception of Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia Arnold Rüütel.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Helsinki Jacques Ivan D’Hondt visited Estonia on 28 August 1991 to announce this. Diplomatic relations were restored on 5 September 1991.

22 October 1991

Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Mark Eyskens to Estonia

Belgia välisminister Mark Eyskens (paremalt 1.) Eesti välisministri Lennart Meri (vasakult 1.) juures vastuvõtul. Vasakult 2. Eesti suursaadik Belgias Clyde Kull

Mark Eyskens met with the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lennart Meri, Chairman of the Supreme Council Arnold Rüütel and others.

14 October 1991

Belgian Chargé d’affaires Jan Mutton, who was the first representative of Belgium to Estonia after the restoration of independence, assumed office

Belgia asjur Jan Mutton üle andmas volikirju välisministeeriumis. Paremal protokolliülem Kalle Ott, vasakul poliitikaosakonna Lääne-Euroopa büroo juhataja Andres Tomasberg Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

25 June 1992

Belgian Ambassador Jacques Ivan D’Hond presented his credentials

Belgia suursaadik Jacques Ivan D’Hond andmas üle volikirju Eesti Vabariigi Ülemnõukogu esimehele Arnold Rüütlile. Vasakul protokolliülem Kalle Ott, paremal välisminister Trivimi Velliste.

He was in office until 1994 and resided in Helsinki.

See the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs for subsequent ambassadors.

1992

The Representation of Estonia to Belgium was opened and the Estonian ambassador Clyde Kull was appointed to office

Clyde Kull volikirjade üleandmisel

He presented his credentials to the King of the Belgians on 6 February 1992. Clyde Kull held the office until 1996. The bilateral ambassador in Brussels also represented Estonia in NATO and the European Union until 1996.

Jüri Luik was the Ambassador of Estonia to Belgium from 1996–1999, followed by Sulev Kannike (1999–2003).

See the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs for subsequent ambassadors.

24 February 1993

A two-storey white villa on Avenue Isidore Gerald in a suburb of Brussels was bought for the embassy in 1992

The opening party of the embassy was held on 24 February 1993 and the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia was also celebrated in Brussels for the first time.

Read more on the website of the Embassy of Estonia in Brussels.

13-14 December 1994

Visit to Estonia by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Frank Vandenbroucke

Belgia välisminister Frank Vandenbroucke kohtumas välisminister Jüri Luigega

Meeting of Frank Vandenbroucke, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jüri Luik

4 March 1996

A cooperation agreement between the governments of Estonia and Flanders was signed

Välisminister Siim Kallas ja Flandria peaminister Luc Van den Brande kirjutavad alla Eesti ja Flandria vahelisele koostöölepingule

A cooperation programme for the period of 2019–2022 has been established for the implementation of the agreement. The cooperation programme makes it possible to expand cooperation in various fields, including the economy, science, technology, culture, education and social policy.

9 June 1999

The mutual visa waiver agreement between Estonia, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg was signed in the Green Hall of the Egmont Palace in Brussels

The agreement was signed by Chargé d’affaires ad Interim of the Estonian Embassy Andres Talvik on behalf of Estonia, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jan Bogaert on behalf of the Kingdom of Belgium, Ambassador Jean-Jacques Kasel on behalf of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Ambassador Eduard Röell on behalf of the Netherlands.

September-December 2001

Estonian culture was introduced in Belgium

Estonian culture was introduced in Belgium with exhibitions in Flanders and Brussels from September to December. Belgium is the first country where a cultural attaché appointed by the Ministry of Culture started working in the Estonian Embassy. Today, Estonia has cultural attachés in seven countries.

14 December 2001

A cooperation agreement was signed between the Government of the Republic of Estonia, the French Community of Belgium and Wallonia

The mutual cooperation framework, which helps implement the agreement, was signed in September 2019 between the Republic of Estonia and Wallonia-Brussels and it covers various areas of cooperation including culture, language training and education, the economy and the environment.

8 October 2003

Estonia appointed a separate ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Luxembourg

Malle Talvet andis oma volikirja belglaste kuningale üle 8. oktoobril 2003. aastal ja jäi ametisse kuni aastani 2008.

The bilateral relations between Estonia and Belgium started getting closer in 2003, because Estonia appointed a separate ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Luxembourg.

Malle Talvet presented her credentials to the King of the Belgians on 8 October 2003 and remained in office until 2008. Karin Jaani was the Estonian Ambassador to Belgium from August 2008 to October 2009. Mariin Ratnik was the Estonian Ambassador to Belgium from July 2010 to September 2011. Gert Antsu was the Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland from 2012–2016. Lembit Uibo, the Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Kingdom of Belgium, presented his credentials to Philippe, the King of the Belgians, in May 2017. Toomas Tirs has been the Estonian Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg since 2018.

29 March 2004

Estonia became a member of NATO

Eesti lipu heiskamine NATO peakorteris Brüsselis

b020404aj 2nd April 2004 Accession Ceremony for the Seven New NATO Members Flag Raising Ceremony at NATO Headquarters, Brussels - Raising of the Estonian Flag

Until 1997, the permanent representation of Estonia to NATO had been located in a small suburban villa in Brussels with the bilateral embassy and representation to the EU.
Jüri Luik, who was officially accredited to Benelux, became the Ambassador in autumn 1996. Once the ambassadors of partner states also became members of the EAPC after the adoption of the NATO EAPC concept in May 1997, Jüri Luik became the first Estonian Ambassador to NATO.

1 May 2004

Estonia became a member of the European Union

1996 aasta varasügisel kolis Eesti alaline esindus Euroopa Liidu juures eurokvartalisse, kus asub tänapäevalgi.

Until 1996, the permanent representation of Estonia to the European Union was located in a small suburban villa in Brussels with the bilateral embassy and representation to NATO. In early autumn 1996, the permanent representation of Estonia to the European Union moved to the European Quarter, where it is located to this day.

2004

Belgium became the first NATO country to participate in the NATO air security mission and guards the airspace of the Baltic States

7 February 2005

The Belgian Embassy was opened in Tallinn at Rataskaevu 2

Belgia saatkond asus aadressil Rataskaevu 2 kuni Belgia sulges 28. veebruaril 2015 saatkonna Tallinnas. Eestit hakati katma Helsingist.

The embassy was opened by the Belgian State Secretary for European Affairs Didier Donfut. The ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium resided in Helsinki until autumn 2020, but the new ambassador Pierre Dubuisson, who presented his credential on 21 October 2004, started working in Tallinn.

20 December 2006

Working visit of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves to Belgium. Meeting with Albert II, King of the Belgians

Kohtumine belglaste kuninga Albert II-ga.

See the preceding and subsequent visits on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

21 December 2007

Estonia joined the Schengen Area

Estonia joined the Schengen Area, which also meant that there was no need for border controls between Estonia and Belgium any longer

10–12 June 2008

State visit by Albert II, King of the Belgians, and Queen Paola to Estonia

Kuningas Albert II ja kuninganna Paola Vabaõhumuuseumis, kus nad tutvusid Eesti talurahva kommetega

The head of state was hosted by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Foreign Minister Urmas Paet.

See the preceding and subsequent visits on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

28 February 2015

Belgium started covering Estonia from Helsinki

Belgia Suursaatkond Helsingis

Philippe Beke became the ambassador on 19 November 2015 and remained in office until 20 September 2003. Carl Peeters stepped into the office of ambassador at the end of the year.

2017–2018

The cultural programme Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia

2017 eesitumine Bozar

The cultural programme of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2017 and the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia in 2018 were parts of the biggest Estonian cultural festival in Belgium so far. Over 30 Estonian cultural projects in total reached audiences in Belgium. The most important cooperation partners were the BOZAR and Flagey cultural centres and a cooperation agreement between Flagey and the Arvo Pärt Centre was signed within the scope of the Arvo Pärt Festival in January 2018.

2017–2018

The mysterious Estonian street artist Edward von Lõngus breathed life into pictures of old Estonians on many walls in Brussels

2018 von Lõngus Brüsselis. Foto: EV100

The art project, which marked the EU Presidency and the 100th anniversary of Estonia, took the art of Lõngus to ten other European capitals in addition to Brussels.
The walls and houses in many unexpected corners around the Town Hall Square of Brussels were given a new look. These works of art can still be seen there.

21 February 2019

Prime Minister of Belgium Charles Michel meets with the Belgian unit of the NATO battlegroup serving in Estonia

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Estonian Defence Minister Jüri Luik.

Belgian contingent arrives in Estonia, joins NATO battle group

2 April 2019

Visit of Philippe, King of the Belgians, and Foreign Minister Didier Reynders to Estonia

Belglaste kuninga Philippe’i ja välisministri Didier Reyndersi visiit Eestisse, kohtumine Belgia sõduritega Tapal NATO missiooni raames.

Visit of Philippe, King of the Belgians, and Foreign Minister Didier Reynders to Estonia, meeting with Belgian soldiers within the scope of the NATO mission in Tapa.

King Philippe of Belgium to visit Estonia in April

2021

Present moment 2021

Toomas Tirs is the Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The embassy is located in the same building as the permanent representation of the Republic of Estonia to the European Union at Rue Guimard 11/13, Brussels, Belgium.

Estonia has two honorary consuls in Belgium: Antoine Vuylsteke and Alain van Bellingen (mandate ends in June 2021). Carl Peeters, the Ambassador of Belgium to Estonia, resides in Helsinki.

Belgium has one honorary consul in Estonia – Erik Sakkov (since 2017).

2021

Estonia and Belgium celebrate their 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations