Estonia’s EU Accession Timeline

This spring marks 21 years since Estonia joined the European Union. To commemorate this occasion, we take a look back at history and recall the key moments on Estonia’s path to accession, which required thorough preparations and years of diplomatic efforts.

09.05.1950

French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented a declaration proposing the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, laying the foundations for the European Union

Euroopa Söe- ja Teraseühenduse lepingu allkirjastamine Pariisis 18.04.1951. Foto: Euroopa Komisjon

The ECSC Treaty was signed in Paris on 18 April 1951 by France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg and entered into force on 23 July 1952.
In 1957, the same countries signed the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community in addition to the ECSC.
After the merging of the ECSC, EEC, and Euratom on 1 July 1967, the institution of the European Communities came into existence.

27.08.1991

At the extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the European Communities in Brussels, the EC Member States recognised the Republic of Estonia as an independent state

1992

Estonia’s first representative to the EC was Ambassador to the Benelux countries Clyde Kull, who presented his credentials to the President of the EC Council João de Deus Pinheiro (Foreign Minister of Portugal) on 4 February.

Clyde Kull andmas üle volikirja João de Deus Pinheirole. Foto: Clyde Kulli erakogu

28.04.1992

The Ambassador of the European Communities to Estonia Ivo Dubois presented his credentials to the Chairman of the Supreme Council Arnold Rüütel

Suursaadik Ivo Dubois. Foto: Rahvusarhiiv

01.11.1993

The Treaty of Maastricht, signed on 7 February 1992, entered into force

Maastrichti lepingu allkirjastamise tseremoonia 07.02.1992. Foto: Euroopa Komisjon

The EC Member States thereby established the European Union.

12.06.1995

The Association Agreement between Estonia and the European Union was signed and entered into force on 1 February 1998.

Euroopa Komisjoni president Jacques Santer, Eesti peaminister Tiit Vähi ja Euroopa asjade minister Endel Lippmaa Euroopa lepingu allkirjastamisel. Foto: Clyde Kulli erakogu

28.11.1995

Estonia submits its application for accession to the European Union

Eesti avaldus EL-iga ühinemiseks. Foto: Rahvusarhiiv

January 1996

In late January, the EU’s representation in Estonia, the European Commission’s Delegation in Estonia, opened in Tallinn

Suursaadik John Kjær kohtumas president Lennart Meriga 28.09.2000. Foto: Presidendi Kantselei

Ambassadors Ivo Dubois, Arhi Palosuo and John Kjær, who also headed the European Commission’s Representation in Estonia until November 2004, acted as the heads of the EC Delegation.

November 1996

Estonia’s Representation to the European Union opened in November in an office building on rue Marie-Thérèse in Brussels

Eesti suursaatkonna hoone Brüsselis, kus asus ka EL-i esindus. Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

The Representation had previously shared premises with the Estonian Embassy in a villa on avenue Isidore Gerard in the suburbs of Brussels.

Until late 1997, Clyde Kull served as Estonia’s Ambassador to the European Union.

Subsequent Estonian ambassadors to the European Union and, since May 2004, permanent representatives to the European Union:
Priit Kolbre (1998-2002)
Väino Reinart (2002-2007)
Raul Mälk (2007-2011)
Matti Maasikas (2011-2016)
Kaja Tael (2016-2019)
Rein Tammsaar (2020)
Aivo Orav (2020- )

14.–15.04.1997

European Commissioner for External Relations Hans van den Broek visited Estonia

Pressikonverentsil vasakult EK välissuhete volinik Hans van den Broek, välisministeeriumi pressiesindaja Ethel Halliste, välisminister Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Eesti suursaadik EL-i juures Clyde Kull. Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

Hans van den Broek met with Prime Minister Mart Siimann, Minister of Foreign Affairs Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Minister of EU Reforms Andra Veidemann, Deputy President of the Riigikogu Tunne Kelam, Minister of Economic Affairs Jaak Leimann, and President Lennart Meri. Van den Broek gave a lecture at the National Library, shedding light on the state of relations between Estonia and the EU, and highlighting Estonia’s economic success.

04.11.1997

Jacques Santer, President of the European Commission, visited Estonia

EK president Jacques Santer kohtumas president Lennart Meriga. Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

Jacques Santer met with Prime Minister Mart Siimann, Foreign Minister Toomas Hendrik Ilves, and President Lennart Meri, and affirmed he was content with Estonia’s preparations for joining the European Union, and that the December EU summit should support launching enlargement negotiations with Estonia.

12.–13.12.1997

European Union leaders met for a summit of the European Union (European Council) in Luxembourg and approved the European Commission’s proposal to open accession negotiations with Estonia, Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia in the spring of 1998

Luxembourgi Ülemkogust osavõtjad. Foto: Euroopa Komisjon

31.03.1998

Estonia’s accession negotiations with the European Union began in Brussels, i.e., the accession conference was opened

Ühinemiskonverentsi Eesti delegatsioon. Vasakult Sirje Sepp, Külliki Linnamägi, Katrin Saarsalu, välisminister Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Priit Kolbre, Henrik Hololei, Ehtel Halliste. Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

Ühinemiskonverentsil osalenud EL-i välisministrid 31.03.1998. Foto: Euroopa Komisjon

The Foreign Ministers of the European Union participating in the Accession Conference on 31 March 1998. Image credit: European Commission

09.05.2001

Europe Day celebrated for the first time in Estonia with a major public event

Euroopa päevale pühendatud katusekontsert 09.05.2001. Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

In 2001, the NGO Estonian European Movement, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organised Estonia’s first public celebration of Europe Day, and held a ‘rooftop concert’ in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Ines, who represented Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000, and the Finnish ethno-rock ensemble Värttinä performed.
The decision to celebrate 9 May, the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, as Europe Day was made at the European Communities Summit in Milan in July 1985.

17.–18.06.2001

President of the European Commission Romano Prodi and Enlargement Commissioner Günther Verheugen visited Estonia

Peaminister Mart Laar (keskel) tutvustamas Stenbocki majas EK president Romano Prodile (vasakul) ja laienemisvolinik Günther Verheugenile (paremal) e-valitsuse süsteemi. Taga välisministeeriumi protokolliülem Toivo Tasa. Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

Romano Prodi and Günther Verheugen met with President Lennart Meri, Deputy President of the Riigikogu Tunne Kelam and members of the Parliament, as well as with Prime Minister Mart Laar and members of the Consultative Council of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. It was announced that €12 million would be allocated to Estonia through the EU’s agricultural and rural development aid programme SAPARD, and Estonia was recognised for its work in preparing for accession to the European Union.

Peaminister Mart Laar ja EK president Romano Prodi jalgrattatuuril Pärnus. Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

Prime Minister Mart Laar and President of the European Commission Romano Prodi on a bicycle tour in Pärnu. Image credit: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Romano Prodi’s visit began with an informal meeting with Prime Minister Mart Laar in Pärnu, where a bicycle tour was conducted.

12.–13.12.2002

The European Union summit (European Council) took place in Copenhagen and it was decided to conclude negotiations with the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia and invite them to join the EU.

Euroopa Liidu ja ühinemiskutse saanud riikide riigipead Kopenhaageni tippkohtumisel. Foto: Euroopa Komisjon

16.04.2003

President Arnold Rüütel and Foreign Minister Kristiina Ojuland signed the Treaty of Accession of Estonia to the European Union in Athens

President Rüütel ja välisminister Ojuland allkirjastamas ühinemislepingut. Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

14.09.2003

Estonia held a referendum on accession to the European Union and amending the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia

Foto Peeter Langovits

64% of eligible voters took part in the referendum, with 67% voting in favour of Estonia joining the EU.

2004

In February, the Estonian Representation to the European Union moved to the European Quarter on rue Guimard in Brussels

Eesti esindus Euroopa Liidu juures Brüsselis. Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

The building was purchased in 2002 and inaugurated in May 2004.

01.05.2004

Estonia became a full member of the European Union

Euroopa Liidu lipu heiskamine Kadrioru lossi ees. Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

2004

In May, the Representation of the European Commission in Estonia started operating in Tallinn’ European House, replacing the EC Delegation

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, EK asepresident Siim Kallas ja EK Eesti esinduse juht Toivo Klaar Euroopa maja avamisel. Foto: Presidendi Kantselei

The European Union House in Tallinn, Rävala pst 4.

The European Commission’s Representation in Estonia was located in the European House in Tallinn, formally opened on 12 January 2007.

Ambassador John Kjær, who led the EC delegation, continued as Head of the European Commission’s Representation until November 2004.
The following heads of the EC Representation in Estonia:

Toivo Klaar (2005-2010)
Hannes Rumm (2011-2016)
Keit Kasemets (2017-2022)
Vivian Loonela (2022-2024)

Euroopa Liidu maja Tallinnas Rävala pst 4.

The European Union House in Tallinn, Rävala pst 4.

13.06.2004

The first European Parliament elections were held in Estonia, with 6 members elected.

Valimiste reklaamplakat

An overwhelming share of votes (76 120) was won by Toomas Hendrik Ilves representing the Social Democrats. Siiri Oviir (Centre Party), Tunne-Väldo Kelam (Isamaaliit), Toomas Savi (Reform Party), Marianne Mikko (Social Democrats), and Ivari Padar (Social Democrats) were also elected.

21.12.2007

Estonia joins the Schengen visa and judicial area

Teavitusplakat Tallinna sadamas. Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

In addition to the leadership of the Estonian state, the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso; Vice-President Franco Frattini; Prime Minister of Portugal José Socrates, representing the Portuguese Presidency of the EU; Prime Minister of Finland Matti Vanhanen, and several other prime ministers of EU countries participated in the formal event at the passenger port of Tallinn.

Tallinna sadamas toimunud üritusel osalenute grupipilt. Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

Group photo of the participants of the event in the Port of Tallinn. Image credit: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

01.01.2011

Estonia adopts the euro, the single currency of the European Union

Teade kroonide vahetamisest eurode vastu sularahaautomaadis. Foto: välisministeeriumi arhiiv

The euro was introduced in 1999 in 11 countries of the European Union simultaneously and it entered circulation as cash in 2002.

01.12.2012

EU’s IT agency headquarters begins operating in Tallinn

2018. aastal avatud avatud eu-LISA peakorteri uus hoone Tallinnas Vesilennuki tänaval. Foto: eu-LISA

The European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) manages large-scale integrated IT systems that contribute to the internal security of Schengen states, allow Schengen states to exchange visa data, and help determine the Member State responsible for examining each individual asylum application.

2013

European School opened in Tallinn in September

Tallinna Euroopa Kooli õpilased kooli 10. sünnipäeva tähistamas. Foto: Tallinna Euroopa Kool

In 2013, 75 students from more than 20 countries started studying at the Tallinn European School (TES). In the 2023/2024 school year, the school had about 500 students, and 11 European languages are taught at the school. The European School provides education primarily for the children of people working in the institutions of the European Union.

01.07.2017

Estonia’s six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union begins

Eesti eesistumise logo ja disain

Euroopa Komisjoni president Jean-Claude Juncker ja Euroopa Ülemkogu eesistuja Donald Tusk koos president Kersti Kaljulaidi ja peaminister Jüri Ratasega Eesti eesistumisele EL-i Nõukogus pühendatud avatseremoonial Kultuurikatlas 29.06.2017. Foto: EU2017EE

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the European Council Donald Tusk, together with President Kersti Kaljulaid and Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, at the opening ceremony dedicated to the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU at the Tallin Creative Hub on 29 June 2017. Image credit: EU2017EE

29.09.2017

The Tallinn Digital Summit took place in Tallinn within the framework of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

EL-i riikide valitsusjuhid Tallinnas tippkohtumisel 29.09.2017. Foto: Riigikantselei

The summit was attended by the prime ministers of the EU countries and the leadership of the European Commission, led by President Jean-Claude Juncker. Since then, Tallinn Digital Summit has become an annual event.

01.09.2020

Ambassador Aivo Orav, Estonia’s current Permanent Representative to the European Union, took office in Brussels

Suursaadik Aivo Orav. Foto: Euroopa Liit

05.10.2021

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen made her first visit to Estonia

Ursula von der Leyen ja peaminister Kaja Kallas ühisel pressikonverentsil Ülemiste linnakus. Foto: Stenbocki maja

On the occasion of the approval of the national plans financed by the European Union Recovery Instrument (NextGenerationEU), von der Leyen was on a tour of European capitals and presented the Commission’s assessment of Estonia’s recovery plan. She met with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, became acquainted with Ülemiste City, and learned about Estonia’s digital solutions.

09.05.2023

A major concert was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Freedom Square in Tallinn to celebrate Europe Day

Euroopa päeva kontserdil Vabaduse väljakul. Foto: välisministeerium

The main performer of the concert was Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine, who won the Eurovision Song Contest.

Kalush Orchestra Vabaduse väljakul. Foto: välisministeerium

Europe Day concert on Freedom Square. Image credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

02.10.2023

Meeting of the foreign ministers of the European Union in Kyiv, Ukraine

Euroopa Liidu välisministrid Ukrainas. Foto: välisministeerium

The meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy covered the EU’s security guarantees for Ukraine and the reconstruction and reforms in the country.

Now Estonia is using its experience to help other countries aspiring to join the European Union, including Ukraine, on their way to NATO and the European Union.