Foreign Minister awards Crosses of Merit for contributions to Estonian statehood and foreign policy

This year, Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu is awarding Crosses of Merit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to diplomats and partners from Estonia and beyond for their notable contribution to the Estonian foreign service, foreign policy objectives and Estonian statehood.

“In this pivotal year, when Russia launched a war against Ukraine and completely transformed the security situation in all of Europe, we must remember and thank all colleagues who have worked tirelessly to defend Estonia’s interests on the international arena and the values cherished by the West, and to ensure Ukraine has the help it needs to win the war. A total of 51 people receive Crosses of Merit this year. We can see clearly that people are the most valuable asset of Estonia’s foreign policy, as they make sure the voice of a small country is heard and makes a difference across the world,” Foreign Minister Reinsalu said.

The Cross of Merit, First Class, for extraordinary services in raising Estonia’s profile in the world, and contributing to Estonia’s independence or important international cooperation is awarded to Estonian Ambassador in Kyiv Kaimo Kuusk and Estonian Defence Attaché in Kyiv Vahur Murulaid for successfully representing Estonia during the war, and to Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine Matti Maasikas for maintaining the resolve of the EU and representing the EU during Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“The heroes this year are Ukrainians who have fought for more than eight months now in Russia’s full-scale war with extraordinary bravery and resolve. This is why the highest recognition of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Cross of Merit, First Class, is awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who have also been defending the security of Europe all this time,” Reinsalu said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also recognising former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson with the Cross of Merit, First Class, for developing policies to counter the aggression and maintaining unity among democracies in the face of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Estonian classical and spiritual composer Arvo Pärt, the most performed living composer, is awarded the Cross of Merit, First Class, for raising Estonia’s profile in the world.

Crosses of Merit, Second Class, for extraordinary services in raising Estonia’s profile internationally or contribution to important international cooperation is awarded to the following recipients.

Aivo Orav – Estonia’s Permanent Representative to the European Union, for maintaining the resolve of the European Union in the face of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Erki Kodar – Undersecretary for Legal and Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for developing and implementing policies to counter the aggression.
Vivian Loonela – Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Estonia, for her long-standing contribution to Estonian interests in the European Union.
Andris Sprivul – Assistant Defence Attaché of the Republic of Estonia in Kyiv, for successfully representing Estonia in Kyiv under difficult wartime conditions.

Partners of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Estonia, who contribute to our foreign policy interests

Eero Janson – Director of the Estonian Refugee Council, for his long-standing work in organising Estonian humanitarian aid to refugees.
Elmar Vaher – Director General of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, for contributing to Estonia’s foreign policy goals and excellent cooperation.
Ahti Kallikorm – Chairman of Magnum Medical, for his remarkable contribution in supporting Ukraine.
Markus Villig – CEO of Bolt, for his remarkable contribution in supporting Ukraine.

Contributions to raising Estonia’s international profile

Marcus Kolga – journalist and political scientist in Canada, for persuading Western audiences of the importance of defending the foundations of European security.
Tiia-Ester Loitme – the long-standing head conductor of the Ellerhein Girls’ Choir, for popularising Estonian choral music and raising Estonia’s profile internationally.
Ott Tänak – Estonian rally driver, for raising Estonia’s profile internationally.
Martin Järveoja – Estonian rally co-driver, for raising Estonia’s profile internationally.

Foreign nationals who have advocated for Estonian interests worldwide

Pramila Patten – Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, for her longstanding work in standing up for human rights across the world.
Arseni Pushkarenko – Member of the Parliament of Ukraine, for heading the Estonian Friendship Group and advancing Estonia-Ukraine relations.
Timothy Snyder – writer and historian from the United States, for popularising truthful studies of the recent history of Central and Eastern Europe in the world.
Sofi Oksanen – Finnish writer, for raising awareness of Estonian history and boosting Estonia’s profile internationally.
Andrius Kubilius – Lithuanian politician and Member of the European Parliament, for supporting Ukraine on the international arena.
Žygimantas Pavilionis – Lithuanian politician and diplomat, for supporting Ukraine on the international arena.
Mikalay Autukhovich – Belarusian dissident and political prisoner, for his consistent work in standing up for civil liberties and democracy in Belarus.
Vladimir Kara-Murza – Russian human rights activist and dissident, for his steadfast and long-standing work in standing up for human rights and civil liberties in Russia.

The Cross of Merit, Third Class, is awarded for a substantial contribution to Estonia’s interests internationally or important international cooperation to the following recipients.

Mart Kull – employee of the Estonian embassy in Riga, for long-standing work in the Estonian foreign service.
Ado Lõhmus – employee of the UN Office at Nairobi, for his long-standing contribution to Estonian interests in Africa.
Martin Roger – Director General of the Department for NATO and Transatlantic Relations, for successfully representing Estonia as ambassador to Poland.
Siiri Königsberg – Deputy Permanent Representative at Estonia’s Permanent Representation to NATO, for her contribution to reinforcing NATO’s collective defence.
Piia Mathisen – Adviser of the President of the European Council Charles Michel, for her contribution to Estonian interests in the European Union.
Kati Roostar – Adviser at Estonia’s Permanent Representation to the European Union, for her contribution to Estonian interests in the European Union.
Dimitri Mironov – Cultural Advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for his long-term contribution to promoting Estonian culture in Russia.
Kalle Kirss – Defence Adviser at Estonia’s Permanent Representation to NATO, for his contribution to reinforcing NATO’s collective defence.
Lars Werner – Estonia’s Honorary Consul in Sweden, for his longstanding contribution to Estonian interests in Sweden.
Rena Tasuja – Director General of the Department for Sanctions and Strategic Export Control, for her contribution to Estonian interests in developing the sanctions policy of the European Union.
Käthlin Saluveer – Director General of the International Organisations Department, for her contribution to Estonian interests in international organisations.
Marika Linntam – Director General of the Department for European Affairs, for her contribution to Estonian interests in the European Union, and for advancing and maintaining bilateral relations with European countries.
Anastasiia Mihhailova – former Project Manager at the Estonian Embassy in Kyiv, for her long-standing work on boosting relations between Estonia and Ukraine.
Mait Metelitsa – Adviser at the Division for Strategic Planning and Data Analysis at the Finance Department, for his consistent work on developing the strategic planning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and crisis management.

Partners of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, advocates of Estonian interests across the world

Astrid Kannel – Estonian journalist, for her longstanding work on covering and popularising foreign affairs in Estonia.
Anton Aleksejev – correspondent of the Estonian Public Broadcasting, for his on-the-ground coverage of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Kristjan Svirgsden – cameraman of the Estonian Public Broadcasting, for his on-the-ground coverage of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Johanna-Maria Lehtme – Director of the NGO Slava Ukraini, for organising the provision of Estonian humanitarian aid to victims of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Martin Andreller – historian and member of the board of the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory, for popularising truthful studies of recent Estonian history.

Foreign nationals, advocates of Estonian interests worldwide
Brian R. Roraff – former Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in Estonia, for his contribution to Estonian-US relations.
Tomasz Szatkowski – Poland’s Permanent Representative to NATO, for his remarkable contribution to reinforcing NATO’s collective defence.
Carl Martin Skonberg – President of the Estonian Educational Society in New York, for his long-standing contribution to Estonian interests in the United States.
Kulandaivelu Gomathy Babu – Estonia’s Honorary Consul in the southern states of India, for his long-standing contribution to Estonian interests and business diplomacy in India.
Margit Tera – member of the board of the Estonian House in the Netherlands and the Estonian School in the Netherlands, for her long-standing contribution to Estonian interests and Estonian language education in the Netherlands.

The Crosses of Merit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are presented on 15 November at the 104th anniversary celebration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.