Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna awarded Crosses of Merit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this year to diplomats and partners from Estonia and abroad for their notable contributions to Estonia’s foreign service, foreign policy and thus Estonia’s statehood.
In his speech at the formal ceremony, Minister Tsahkna said that history is full of individuals who leave the room when truth arrives. “In his speech in Hamburg in 1994, Estonian President Lennart Meri said that ‘the West has no inkling of what is currently brewing in the vast expanses of Russia.’ Hearing this, Vladimir Putin, who was present in the hall and would become president of Russia six years later, stood up and walked out,” Tsahkna said. “This speaks volumes, most importantly that early on, Estonia was aware of what was happening in Russia.”
“Estonia’s foreign policy does not wait for history to be made – it takes a step forward itself. We are leading the way in foreign policy: we are taking the initiative and we are upholding international law,” Tsahkna underlined.
“This year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is bestowing Crosses of Merit to 24 people whose extraordinary services and notable efforts have ensured that Estonia is visible, its voice is heard and it is leading the way in several initiatives,” Tsahkna said.
The Foreign Ministry’s Cross of Merit, First Class, for extraordinary services in raising Estonia’s profile in the world, and contributing to Estonia’s independence or significant international cooperation is awarded to Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski for their remarkable contribution to strengthening cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and to regional security.
The Order of Merit, Second Class is awarded for a remarkable contribution to raising Estonia’s profile internationally or to significant international cooperation to the following people.
Countering Russia’s aggression and supporting Ukraine and Moldova
Thomas Bagger, State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany from 2023 to 2025 – for his contribution to supporting Ukraine and to reinforcing relations between Estonia and Germany.
Andrea Kivi, Head of Operations at the Estonian Centre for International Development – for successfully organising and leading the process of the European Union’s Pillar Assessment of ESTDEV.
Raising Estonia’s profile
Andrus Kivirähk, writer and journalist – for raising Estonia’s global profile through his extensively translated works that wittily combine everyday life, history, and politics with folklore and mythology.
Contributing to Estonia’s economy
Martin Kolbe, former CIO of Kuehne+Nagel International AG – for his contribution to strengthening economic relations between Estonia and Germany and for securing a major investment in Estonia.
Upholding the rules-based order and democracy
Constanze Stelzenmüller, Brookings Institution, Director of the Center on the United States and Europe – for her contribution to transatlantic relations and for upholding European values and the rules-based international order.
Advancing transatlantic cooperation
Philip Bednarczyk, former senior Europe adviser on the US House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee, current Warsaw Office Director of the German Marshall Fund – for his sustained and productive work in the US Congress to ensure political and defence support for the Baltic States.
Maintaining Estonia’s position in Europe and contributing to European security
David Hogan-Hern, former Strategy Director at the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom – for his contribution to supporting Ukraine and to Estonia’s security.
The Order of Merit, Third Class is awarded for a substantial contribution to Estonia’s interests internationally or to significant international cooperation to the following people.
Strengthening cooperation in the Baltic Sea region
Kai Kaarelson, diplomat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – for her contribution to the independent report on the future of the Council of the Baltic Sea States.
Countering Russia’s aggression and supporting Ukraine and Moldova
Kadri Elias-Hindoalla, diplomat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – for her remarkable work in developing and steering sanctions policy in the European Union.
Maria Smorževskihh-Smirnova, Director of Narva Museum – for countering Russia’s aggression and propaganda, and for upholding European values and freedom of speech.
Raising Estonia’s profile
Erki Kilu, Head of the London branch of LHV Bank – for his substantial support for promoting Estonian culture in the United Kingdom.
Hideko Arai, Chair of the Japan-Estonia Friendship Group – for promoting Estonian culture and popularising the World Cleanup Day in Japan.
Merle Liivand, swimmer, entrepreneur and climate activist – for her contribution to recognising ocean pollution and promoting environmental awareness.
Contributing to Estonia’s economy
Oliver Väärtnõu, CEO of Cybernetica, Chairman of the Board of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – for his active work on markets beyond Europe, which has inspired other Estonian ICT entrepreneurs.
Cooperating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Vahur Väljamäe, former defence attaché, Vice President of Government Relations at Threod Systems – for his remarkable contribution to Estonia’s defence and security.
Matis Mäeker, Head of the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit – for developing and implementing a productive policy of financial sanctions.
Herman Kelomees, Politics Editor at Delfi – for his remarkable contribution to the coverage of foreign affairs.
Making a sustained contribution to the foreign service
Ly Metsis, former diplomat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – for her long-term and productive work in advancing Estonia’s interests in relations with Russia.
Kadi Auksmann-Ferri, Secretary at the Estonian Embassy in Rome – for her long-term and remarkable contribution to the foreign service.
Björn Piibur, diplomat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – for his contribution to the relations of Estonia and Germany and for editing the compendium Time Rhymes. Chapters on Intertwined Estonian-German Histories.
Aadu Allpere, Honorary Consul – for his long-term and active work as Estonia’s Honorary Consul in Atlanta.
Upholding the rules-based order and democracy
Derek Thorne, Head of the Media Freedom Coalition Secretariat – for his contribution to Estonia’s successful co-chairmanship of the Media Freedom Coalition from 2023 to 2025.
The Crosses of Merit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were presented on 12 November at the celebration of the 107th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Photos of the celebration of the anniversary of the Foreign Ministry.
The full text of the speech by Minister Tsahkna.
Additional information
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