Statements

Joint Declaration of the United States, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from the meeting of the Presidents of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Raimonds Vejonis and Dalia Grybauskaitė with the Vice-President of the United States Joe Biden

2016-08-23T13:41:56Z

On the occasion of Vice President Biden's visit to Latvia, we, the United States of America, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, reaffirm our strategic alliance. Faced with an unpredictable security environment, we commit to deepening our cooperation and our efforts to ensure security and stability in the region, as part of NATO's approach to collective defense.

President Ilves expressed his condolences to France

2015-11-14T08:00:32Z

I am shocked by the large-scale and coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris. This is also an attack on our fundamental values. We, together with other allies and friends, stand firmly by France and its people. We are with you in our thoughts, hope and resolve. My condolences to families and friends of the victims and to the people of France.

Declaration of the President, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, following the release of Eston Kohver

2015-09-26T12:09:09Z

Today, we will remove the yellow ribbons that demonstrated our hope and support for the return home of Eston Kohver, the Estonian Internal Security Police official who was kidnapped on 5 September of last year from the territory of the Republic of Estonia.

President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves following the murder of an influential Russian opposition leader, Boris Nemtsov

2015-02-28T09:28:23Z

I am shocked by the news that last night in front of the Kremlin opposition leader Boris Nemtsov former the Deputy Prime Minister of President Yeltsin, was callously murdered.

Announcement by the President, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, in the wake of the death of teacher Ene Sarap in a school shooting in Viljandi

2014-10-27T14:09:11Z

I wish to express my deepest condolences to the family and next of kin of Ene Sarap, the Viljandi teacher who died tragically today, and to the Paalalinna school family in general.

President Ilves' press statement after the bilateral meeting with President Obama

2014-09-03T13:30:51Z

To begin, I would like to welcome President Obama to Estonia. It is a pleasure and honor to receive you right before the NATO Summit. Your visit sends a strong message. We are grateful to the United States and to you personally for your leadership, commitment and support.

President Ilves' press statement after the multilateral meeting

2014-09-03T13:30:22Z

It has been a pleasure and honor to host this multilateral meeting of President Obama, President Grybuskaite and President Beržins here in Tallinn today – a day before the NATO Summit. American engagement in our region's security runs deep. Twenty years ago Russian troops left the Baltic states. Ten years ago we joined NATO. We reached these historic milestones thanks to US support and leadership.

Remarks to the Press by Vice President Joe Biden and President Toomas Ilves of Estonia

2014-03-18T16:20:41Z

Warsaw, Poland

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Good afternoon, everyone. Mr. President, I was pleased to have another chance to get together with you and speak with you today, and I appreciate the fact you made the time to see me in the midst of your own state visit to Poland. I appreciate it very much. And I look forward to seeing your fellow Baltic heads of state tomorrow in Vilnius.

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves’s statement

2014-02-18T20:18:46Z

Both sides must stop in Kyiv. Each step forward leads to new violence and victims. Those who care about the lives of their fellow-citizens and for their country's future, must find a solution to the crisis, without armored vehicles, weapons and Molotov cocktails.

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves after the signing of border treaties between Estonia and Russia

2014-02-18T09:38:29Z

I welcome the signing of the border treaties between Estonia and Russia. A border agreement between neighbouring countries is something normal and self-evident in the European Union. Thus it is also normal that the consultations between Estonia and Russia, which were conducted in a professional and reasonable manner, were concluded today with the signatures of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs on the border treaties.