Today, 2 February, Estonia is marking the 106th anniversary of the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty. On this occasion, a ceremonial commemorative
event took place at the statue of Jaan Poska in Kadriorg, and in the evening, the Jaan Poska Medals were awarded at a formal reception.
“Jaan Tõnisson has said: ‘Freedom is not a gift, but a responsibility that must be upheld and learned to be defended,’” Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said at the reception dedicated to the anniversary of the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty, held at the National Library of Estonia. “The Tartu Peace Treaty demonstrated that a small nation can shape its destiny wisely, unitedly and with determination.”
Tsahkna added that Estonia has endured thanks to the Tartu Peace Treaty and the decisions that followed. “Estonia’s survival, our national continuity and freedom are inseparably linked to how we act today: whether we can demonstrate that democracy and the rules-based international order are worth defending and supporting,” he said, adding that the Tartu Peace Treaty is not merely an agreement, but a symbol of a courageous decision and the effort made in the name of freedom – one that continues to shape our identity to this day.
“This message is also highly relevant today. Ukraine is facing aggression that threatens the nation’s right to independence and the entire values-based space of a rules-based Europe,” the foreign minister said.
The foreign minister stressed that all peace initiatives must be guided by the need to safeguard Europe’s integrity and long-term security, not by short-term interests. “A just and lasting peace in Ukraine can only be achieved if aggression does not go unpunished. Lasting peace in Ukraine and across Europe can only be achieved if Ukraine is secure, stable and economically strong.”
This year, the Jaan Poska Medals were awarded for the sixth time to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty. The Jaan Poska Medal is awarded to individuals for outstanding service in upholding the principles of the Tartu Peace Treaty around the world.
The medals were awarded to Ambassador Aino Lepik von Wirén and, posthumously, Heinrich Laretei. Laretei is recognised for his unwavering service to the Estonian state, including for preserving, alongside other highly important documents, the original Tartu Peace Treaty. In addition to her long-standing diplomatic service, Lepik von Wirén’s special contribution was bringing the original Tartu Peace Treaty back home. It was through her efforts that this symbol of Estonian statehood returned to Estonia 24 years ago from the Baltic Archives in Stockholm.
At the reception, Tsahkna also presented Benjamin Haddad, the French Minister of European Affairs visiting Estonia, with the Order of Merit, First Class of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was awarded to him last year.
Earlier today, a commemorative ceremony for the anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty took place at the Jaan Poska monument in Kadriorg Park, where Tsahkna participated together with Haddad, as well as the Commander of the Air Force, the Chief of Staff of the Estonian Defence League, the Mayor of Tallinn, the Deputy Chair of the Tallinn City Council, and the Estonian Reserve Officers’ Association.
Young diplomats and guests were transported to the commemorative ceremony together with the foreign minister on a special tram. In addition to the foreign minister, a speech on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also delivered by junior diplomat Mihkel Märtens. The event at the statue of Poska was followed by a lunch with former foreign ministers at the Jaan Poska House.
Gallery from the daytime event in Kadriorg Park and the Jaan Poska Medal ceremony (is being updated)
Full version of the foreign minister’s speech at the Tartu Peace Treaty reception
More information about the Tartu Peace Treaty
Additional information
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