Estonian Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand opened a new Estonian embassy in the Australian capital city of Canberra on Monday.
Kaljurand said to the Baltic News Service that Estonia's mission in Australia wasn’t brand new. Instead of a consulate general in Sydney, the government decided in 2014 to open an embassy in Australia’s capital.
In addition to representing Estonia, the embassy provides consular services and helps Estonian citizens in Australia. Kaljurand said that there was a large Estonian community in Australia, and that it was growing. According to Kaljurand there are currently around 10,000 Estonians in Australia.
Another purpose of the embassy was to develop business connections between the two countries, Kaljurand said, pointing out that trade with Australia had grown by a third in 2015.
Next to Ambassador Andres Unga, a consul, a secretary, and a driver are currently working at the embassy. Estonia also has four honorary consuls in Australia.
Kaljurand and her Finnish counterpart Timo Soini started a week-long visit to Australia and New Zealand on Monday.
Source: Estonia opens embassy in Australia