Estonia transfers ambassador from Georgia to Armenia amid worsening relations with Tbilisi

The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to transfer the country’s ambassador to Georgia and Armenia, Marge Mardisalu-Kahari, who previously resided in Tbilisi, to Yerevan, Armenia, and to terminate her assignment in Georgia. The reason for this change is the freezing of relations between the Estonian and Georgian governments, while simultaneously strengthening ties with Armenia. On February 11, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Chargé d’Affaires of Georgia that the Estonian ambassador to Georgia would conclude her mission in Tbilisi on March 10, the ministry’s press service reported. Until a new ambassador is appointed, the Estonian embassy in Georgia will be headed by Chargé d’Affaires Gita Kalmet. The press service of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not specify when the new ambassador to Georgia might be appointed. Mardisalu-Kahari will continue to serve as Estonia’s acting ambassador to Armenia, where Estonia will open its embassy in March. She will be Estonia’s first ambassador in Yerevan. The Estonian government decided to open an embassy in Armenia in November 2025. Estonia opened an embassy in Georgia in 2006, and Georgia opened an embassy in Estonia in 2007, but there is currently no ambassador in Tbilisi. It is noted that relations between Estonia and Georgia cooled following the change of power in Tbilisi, which resulted in the ouster of pro-European political forces and the government’s crackdown on protests. At the same time, relations between Estonia and Armenia have rapidly improved following changes there, including strengthening ties with the European Union and the beginning of a reconciliation process with Azerbaijan. “Estonian-Armenian relations are stable and good, developing steadily since 2023. Bilateral visits and meetings have taken place at the level of presidents, prime ministers, and foreign ministers,” the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. Regarding relations with Georgia, it is noted that Estonia has long contributed to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, but due to the Georgian authorities’ systematic retreat from democratic principles, including the failure to fully meet the conditions for EU candidate status, support for Georgian institutions is no longer a priority for Estonian foreign policy. Nevertheless, Estonia is investing in the development of civil society and free media in Georgia.