Estonia and Iraq

Bilateral relations

The Republic of Iraq recognised the Republic of Estonia on 1 January 1992. Diplomatic relations between Estonia and Iraq were established on 22 April 2005.

Estonia does not have an ambassador accredited to Iraq. The Iraqi ambassador to Estonia is of 26 April 2011 Abdul Kareem Toma Mehdi Kaab, who resides in Helsinki.

Visits

Economic relations

Trade

In 2011 the main articles of export to Iraq were transportation vehicles (more than half the total value of exports), in addition to machinery and equipment, shoes, and mineral products.

The mission of the Estonian Defence Forces and military aid in Iraq

An Estonian infantry unit (ESTPLA) participated in the Multi-National Force in Iraq (MNF-I) from June 2003 to 31 December 2008. Up until the end of 2004, an 11-member cargo handling team also worked in Iraq. The task of the coalition forces was to ensure, in co-operation with the Iraqi government, a safe environment for the reconstruction and stabilisation of Iraq. In order to accomplish this, operations to combat extremists and terrorists were carried out and training and equipment were given to the Iraqi security forces.

ESTPLA’s task was to carry out regular patrol raids and searches, escort convoys, and guard objects. ESTPLA’s area of operation was the Baghdad suburb of Abu Ghurayb and the Al Taj military base about 20 km north-west of Baghdad. ESTPLA was under the operational management of the USA’s CENTCOM (US Central Command). Three Estonian staff officers are still participating in the work of the NATO Training Mission in Iraq (NTM-I). 

In addition to the military mission, Estonia contributed a total of 100 000 euros to the NATO Iraqi Trust Fund in 2005 and 2006. Estonia has donated 2 400 handguns and over a million cartridges to Iraqi security institutions.

Estonian development and humanitarian aid for Iraq

2003
Special-purpose donation to the UN Office for Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for humanitarian aid in Iraq – 1 mln EEK (64 000 euros)

Special-purpose donation to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to support the reconstruction of Iraq – 500 000 EEK (32 000 EUR)

2005
Donation of 500 000 EEK (32 000 EUR) to the UN to fund UN armed security units in Iraq.

The Ministry of Defence donated a computer classroom to the police academy of the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior, total value 328 120 EEK (20 970 EUR).

2004 – 2006
Four Estonian police instructors worked in the International Police Training Centre in Jordan. The cost to send each instructor was close to 500 000 EEK (32 000 EUR). Police instructor Ralf Palo helped with courses organised for Iraqi police officers in Denmark in 2007.

2007
Special-purpose donation to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to improve the situation of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons – 400 000 EEK (25 565 EUR).

In October 2007 25 officials of the Iraqi government were in Estonia for a training programme held within the framework of the UNDP programme. They gained IT-related skills from the Estonian e-Governance Academy.

Two Estonian experts (Jüri Adams, Priidu Pärna) participated in the work of the UN constitutional experts team, which had the task of advising the project to write a constitution for Iraq.

2008
At the Stockholm conference of the International Compact with Iraq, Estonia contributed 1 million EEK (64 000 EUR) to the UNHCR for improving the situation of refugees.

2009
From 3-22 May 2009 a 10-member delegation of Iraqi diplomats were in Estonia for a course at the Estonian School of Diplomacy.

From 8-19 June 2009, the Estonian Foreign Ministry in co-operation with the Justice Ministry organised a training course for two high officials of the Iraqi prison system within the framework of the EU rule of law mission EUJUST LEX.

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