100 years of diplomatic relations between Estonia and the Czech Republic

Czechoslovakia recognised the Republic of Estonia de jure on 29 December 1921, which established official diplomatic relations.

For the anniversary year, we have compiled a timeline of Estonian–Czech relations. It is a chronological gallery of historical photographs, documents, and texts, which provides an overview of the important moments of the relations between the two countries over 100 years.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the collection of facts, photos, and documents!

To see the photo titles, move your cursor to the photo.

Happy time travelling!

Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Prague

24 February 1918

The independence of the Republic of Estonia was declared

Public reading of the Estonian Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Pärnu Endla Theatre. Photograph: Collection of Pärnu Museum

At the initiative of the Salvation Committee, the Estonian Declaration of Independence was compiled, which was publicly read on 23 February 1918 from the balcony of the Endla Theatre in Pärnu. The next day, on 24 February 1918, the Salvation Committee declared Estonia an independent democratic republic.

28 October 1918

The Czechoslovak Republic was formed

Coat of arms of Czechoslovakia. Photo: Wikipedia

1 February 1921

Karl Menning was appointed chargé d’affaires and Consul General in Czechoslovakia, he resided in Berlin

Karl Menning in 1919. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Karl Menning was chargé d’affaires in Czechoslovakia until October 1925. After Menning, Ambassador of Estonia Johan Leppik was appointed chargé d’affaires. He resided in Warsaw.

Decision of the Government of the Republic on the appointment of Karl Menning as chargé d’affaires. Photo: National Archives (ERA.31.3.13872)

April 1921

The Czechoslovak consulate started operating in Tallinn

Stamp of the Czechoslovak consulate and signature of Consul Čehovský. Photo: National Archives (ERA.957.11.995)

The first consul was František Čehovský. In August 1921, Václav Čech was appointed the consul. He served until the end of 1925. The consulate has been located in Tallinn at different addresses – Kloostri 18, Mündi 3, Tatari 12, and Pikk 36.

29 December 1921

Czechoslovakia recognised the Republic of Estonia de jure

Letter from the Czechoslovak Minister of Foreign Affairs Edvard Beneš to the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ants Piip. Photo: National Archives (ERA.957.11.33)

Letter from Štefan Osuský, Ambassador of Czechoslovakia to Paris, to Karl Robert Pusta, Ambassador of Estonia to Paris. Photo: National Archives (ERA.957.11.33)

30 January 1924

Josef Beck, the first honorary consul of Estonia in Czechoslovakia, was appointed

Order of the Minister of Foreign Affair appointing Josef Beck Honorary Consul in Prague. Photo: National Archives (ERA.957.3.696)

Josef Beck, the director of Legiobanka, received the exequatur in August 1924, and the consulate was located at Na Poříčí 22 (in the Legiobanka building). Beck was the honorary consul until the occupation of Czechoslovakia.

Legiobanka building in Prague. Photo: Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Prague

The other honorary consuls of Estonia in Czechoslovakia were:

Vojtěch Kyjovský (1928–1935) and Jan Koudelka (1936–1939) in Brno
Milan Ivanka (1935–1939) in Bratislava
Emil Vassermann (1936–1938) in Karlovy Vary
Pavel Brukner (1937–1939) in Prague

18 June 1927

The first Ambassador of Czechoslovakia to Estonia Václav Girsa presented his credentials to State Elder Jaan Teemant

Václav Girsa. Photo: Wikipedia

Václav Girsa resided in Warsaw.

Credentials of Václav Girsa. Photo: National Archives (ERA.957.7.114)

11 July 1927

Otto Strandman was appointed the first Ambassador of Estonia to Czechoslovakia

Otto Strandman. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Strandman presented his credentials to President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk on 11 November 1927. Ambassador Strandman resided in Warsaw.

Decision of the Government of the Republic on the appointment of Otto Strandman as ambassador to Czechoslovakia. Photo: National Archives (ERA.31.3.14432)

March 1928

The Czechoslovak consulate in Tallinn was transformed into an Embassy

Vladimir Černošek. Photo: National Archives

The Embassy was located at Pikk 6 and later at Kiriku 6 and Vabaduse plats 7. The first temporary charge d’affaires was Vladimir Černošek, who had been consul since 1926. He was succeeded by Jaroslav Galia (1931–1936) and Jaroslav Šejnoha (1936–1939), who in the summer of 1938 became the permanent representative of Czechoslovakia in Estonia.

Jaroslav Galia. Photo: National Archivesv

Jaroslav Šejnoha with an embassy employee at the Czechoslovak Embassy in Tallinn in 1939. Photo: National Archives

8 June 1929

Visa-free travel came into force between Estonia and Czechoslovakia

Decision of the Government of the Republic to conclude an agreement on the abolition of visas between Estonia and Czechoslovakia. Photo: National Archives

10 October 1930

Karl Tofer was appointed Ambassador of Estonia to Czechoslovakia

Karl Tofer in Prague on the way to present his credentials. Photo: National Archives

Directive of the State Elder on the appointment of Karl Tofer as Ambassador to Czechoslovakia. Photo: National Archives (ERA.31.3.14528)

17 August 1932

Karl Robert Pusta was appointed Ambassador of Estonia to Czechoslovakia

Karl Robert Pusta. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

He presented his credentials to President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk on 18 March 1933. Pusta resided in Warsaw.

10 May 1934

Philip Kaljot, the first diplomat of Estonia residing in Prague, was appointed

Philip Kaljot. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

From the autumn of 1934, the Estonian Embassy operated at Na Poříčí 22 in the Legiopanka building. Philip Kaljot represented Estonia as charge d’affaires, followed by Edgar Hõbemägi in Prague in 1938–1939.

1 May 1935

Johannes Markus was appointed Ambassador of Estonia to Czechoslovakia

Johannes Markus. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

He presented his credentials to President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk on 14 October 1935. Markus resided in Warsaw.

8 July 1935

Jaroslav Lipa, Ambassador of Czechoslovakia to Estonia, presented his credentials to State Elder Konstantin Päts

Jaroslav Lipa. Photo: Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Jaroslav Lipa was an ambassador to Estonia until the summer of 1938 and resided in Riga.

Presentation of credentials. Sitting (from the left) State Secretary Karl Terras, Ambassador Jaroslav Lipa, State Elder Konstantin Päts, Minister of Foreign Affairs Julius Seljamaa, Chargé d’Affaires of Czechoslovakia Jaroslav Galia. Standing (from the left) Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs August Koern, Major General Gustav Jonson, Senior Commanding Officer of the State Elder Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Grabbi, Junior Commanding Officer of the State Elder Navy Lieutenant Karl Iman. Photo: National Archives

15 March 1939

Germany occupied Czechoslovakia

German army in Prague. Photo: Military History Institute Prague

The Estonian Embassy in Prague was liquidated on 17 March 1939, as Germany occupied Czechoslovakia.

23 August 1939

Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact

Map of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact was signed in Moscow, and its secret supplementary protocol divided Eastern Europe between Germany and the USSR, paving the way for the occupation and annexation of the Republic of Estonia.

21 June 1940

A coup d’état was carried out in Estonia with the support of the Red Army

First sitting of the Chamber of Deputies (Riigivolikogu) elected under the conditions of occupation on 21 July. At the meeting on next day, it was decided to join the Soviet Union. Photo: Nädal Pildis 1940

The incorporation of the Republic of Estonia into the Soviet Union began. The government of the Estonian SSR ordered the liquidation of all Estonian embassies, consulates, and honorary consulates and the transfer of their assets to the local offices of the USSR. By 25 August, all foreign envoys in Estonia were required to leave.

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February 1948

A communist coup d’état took place in Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovak People’s Militia in February 1948. Photo: Czech Radio archives

21 August 1968

Soviet troops occupied Czechoslovakia

Soviet soldiers on their way to conquer the Prague Radio building. Photo: Josef Koudelka / Magnum Photos

In order to prevent the Prague Spring liberalisation policy from being transferred to other socialist countries, troops invaded Czechoslovakia and seized power.

1988–1989

Estonian efforts to restore independence

Czech students participating in the Baltic Way. Photo: National Archives, Peeter Langovits

The Singing Revolution in Estonia and the other Baltic States in 1988
and the Baltic Way in 1989 brought widespread international support.

On 23 August 1989, on the 50th anniversary of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact,
a long human chain was formed across the three Baltic States,
where people joined hands to draw attention to
the situation in the Baltic States.

November 1989

The Velvet Revolution took place in Czechoslovakia

Protesters in Prague’s Old Town in November 1989. Photo: Wikipedia

2 February 1991

The Czech–Estonian Club (ČEK-TEK) was founded in Prague

Logo of the Czech–Estonian Club

The club was founded as an underground organisation on the evening of ‘Res Baltica’ organised by the Baltic Sea Union at the Realistic Theatre in Prague.

Article in the newspaper Vaba Eesti Sõna

20 August 1991

The Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia adopted a resolution on Estonia’s national independence. The Republic of Estonia was restored on the basis of legal continuity

Taking down the statue of Lenin in front of the building of the Central Committee of the Estonian Communist Party (now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) on 23 August 1991 Photo: Peeter Langovits, Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

29 August 1991

Czechoslovakia re-recognised the Republic of Estonia

9 September 1991

Diplomatic relations were restored between Czechoslovakia and the Republic of Estonia

Joint Declaration on the Restoration of Diplomatic Relations. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

7 October 1991

Josef Mačišak, chargé d’affaires of Czechoslovakia in Estonia, presented his credentials

JJosef Mačišak presenting his credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs Lennart Meri. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Josef Mačišak presenting his credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs Lennart Meri. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Josef Mačišak worked as the First Secretary at the Moscow Embassy in Czechoslovakia and was also chargé d’affaires in Latvia and Lithuania.

1 January 1993

Declaration of the independent Czech Republic

Coat of arms of the Czech Republic. Photo: Wikipedia

On January 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia separated peacefully into two new countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia

15 December 1994

The first ambassador of the Czech Republic to Estonia, Dana Huňátová, presented her credentials to President Lennart Meri

Ambassador Dana Huňátová and President Lennart Meri after the presentation of credentials. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Dana Huňátová resided in Helsinki and was in office until 1997.

The following Czech ambassadors to Estonia:

Radek Pech (1997–2000, resided in Helsinki)
Vladislav Labudek (2000–2004, resided in Tallinn)
Miloš Lexa (2004–2008)
Richard Kadlčák (2008–2012)
Gabriela Tománková (2017–2021)
David Král (2021–)

7 March 1995

Toivo Tasa, the first ambassador of Estonia to the Czech Republic, presented his credentials to the President of the Czech Republic Václav Havel

Toivo Tasa. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Toivo Tasa resided in Vienna and was in office until 1999.

18–20 April 1996

State visit of the President of the Czech Republic Václav Havel to Estonia

Presidents Václav Havel and Lennart Meri in front of an honour society in Kadriorg. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Václav Havel met with Estonian writers, President Lennart Meri, Speaker of the Riigikogu Toomas Savi, and Prime Minister Tiit Vähi, and visited the Saku Brewery and got acquainted with the Old Town of Tallinn.

Václav Havel meeting with Estonian writers, opposite him are Mati Unt and Arvo Valton. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

August 1997

Riho Laanemäe, the first Estonian diplomat residing in Prague, started working as chargé d'affaires

Riho Laanemäe. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

16 April 1998

The Estonian Embassy was ceremoniously opened in Prague. The Embassy is located at Na Kampě 1

Opening of the Estonian Embassy. From the right, Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaroslav Šedivy, and Estonian Chargé d’Affaires Riho Laanemäe. Photo from the book Teine Tulemine

Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Prague Photo: embassy in Prague

15 May 2000

The Czech Republic opened its Embassy in Tallinn at Roosikrantsi 11

Czech Embassy building in Tallinn. Photo: Czech Embassy in Tallinn.

On 28 October 2004, the new building of the Czech Embassy was opened at
Lahe 4.

29 May–1 June 2000

State visit of President Lennart Meri to the Czech Republic

Presidents Lennart Meri and Václav Havel and Mrs Helle Meri meeting in Prague. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Lennart Meri met with Czech writers, President Václav Havel and Prime Minister Miloš Zeman, attended a Czech–Estonian business seminar, gave a lecture at Charles University, and visited the peacekeeping battalion centre in Český Krumlov and the Antonin Rückl and Sons glass factory in Nižbor.

18–19 January 2001

Visit of the Czech Prime Minister Miloš Zeman to Estonia

Prime Ministers Miloš Zeman and Mart Laar at the Stenbock House. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Miloš Zeman met with President Lennart Meri, Speaker of the Riigikogu Toomas Savi, Prime Minister Mart Laar and Minister of Economic Affairs Mihkel Pärnoja, participated in the Estonian–Czech Business Forum, and visited Tallinn Town Hall and Saku Brewery.

19–21 October 2003

Official visit of Prime Minister Juhan Parts to the Czech Republic

Prime Minister Juhan Parts and Minister of Foreign Affairs Cyril Svoboda in June 2003 in Tallinn. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1 May 2004

Estonia and the Czech Republic became members of the European Union

Raising the flag of the European Union in front of Kadriorg Castle. Photo: Office of the President of the Republic

23–25 May 2006

State visit of the President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus to Estonia

Presidents Václav Klaus and Arnold Rüütel at a meeting in Kadriorg Castle. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Václav Klaus met with President Arnold Rüütel, Speaker of the Riigikogu Toomas Varek, and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, visited the Port of Tallinn, and participated in a Czech business seminar. President Klaus also visited Tallinn University of Technology, where he was appointed an honorary doctor of TUT and gave a lecture.

4–6 June 2007

Working visit of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves to the Czech Republic

Presidents Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Václav Klaus at a meeting in Prague. Photo: David Cerny

President Ilves participated as the keynote speaker at the international conference ‘Democracy and Security’ and met with the President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus.

21 December 2007

Estonia and the Czech Republic joined the Schengen area

Estonian–Latvian border in Valga after joining Schengen. Photo: The Baltic Times

6 May 2008

Visit of the Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek to Estonia

Prime Ministers Andrus Ansip and Mirek Topolánek on the balcony of Stenbock House. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Prime Minister Topolánek met with President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Speaker of the Riigikogu Ene Ergma, and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, participated in an Estonian–Czech business seminar, and gave a presentation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In March 2008, Prime Ministers Ansip and Topolánek met in Prague.

14 May 2009

Visit of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves to the Czech Republic

Toomas Hendrik Ilves speaking at the opening of the new main building of Radio Free Europe. Photo: RFE/RL

President Ilves participated in the opening of the new main building of Radio Free Europe in Prague, where he was the keynote speaker. Toomas Hendrik Ilves worked in the editorial office of Radio Free Europe in Munich from 1984 to 1993.

22–23 November 2011

Working visit of Prime Minister Andrus Ansip to the Czech Republic

Prime Ministers Andrus Ansip and Petr Nečas at a meeting. Photo: Michal Krumphanzl

Andrus Ansip met with Prime Minister Petr Nečas and the Czech business community.

18 April 2013

Official visit of the Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas to Estonia

Prime Minister Petr Nečas meeting with the Speaker of the Riigikogu Ene Ergma. Photograph: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Petr Nečas met with Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Speaker of the Riigikogu Ene Ergma and participated in an Estonian–Czech business seminar.

9 June 2014

Visit of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves to the Czech Republic

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, next to him former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright together with other guests of the Aspen Conference. Photo: Aspen Institute Prague

President Ilves spoke at the annual conference of the Aspen Institute in Prague.

30 May 2014

The Czech Republic joined the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn

Raising of the Czech flag in front of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. Photo: Headquarters of the Defence Forces

France, the United Kingdom, and Austria joined with the Czech Republic, and a flag-raising ceremony for the new members took place on 3 June.

20 October 2015

Visit of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves to the Czech Republic

President Ilves receiving the award from Michael Žantovský, President of the Aspen Institute. Photo: Aspen Institute Prague

President Ilves participated in the annual conference of the Aspen Institute in Prague, where he was presented with the Aspen Institute Award.

23 May 2017

Visit of Prime Minister Jüri Ratas to the Czech Republic

Prime Ministers Jüri Ratas and Bohuslav Sobotka in Prague. Photo: valitsus.ee

Jüri Ratas met with the Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka to discuss the forthcoming presidency of Estonia of the European Union.

22–23 November 2018

Official visit of Prime Minister Jüri Ratas to the Czech Republic

Prime Ministers Jüri Ratas and Andrej Babiš at the opening of the digital conference Digital Czech 2018+ Photo: valitsus.ee

Jüri Ratas met with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, with whom he opened the digital conference Digital Czech 2018+. Jüri Ratas also met with Radek Vondráček, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Czech Parliament, and Jaroslav Kubera, President of the Senate, and visited the office of the Estonian company Pipedrive.

17–18 February 2020

Working visit of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babish to Estonia

Prime Ministers Jüri Ratas and Andrej Babiš on the balcony of the Stenbock House. Photo: Raigo Pajula

Andrej Babiš met with Prime Minister Jüri Ratas and Minister of Foreign Trade and Information Technology Kaimar Karu, visited the e-Estonia Presentation Centre and the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, and met with the Speaker of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas.

9 February 2021

David Kerál, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Estonia, presented his credentials to President Kersti Kaljulaid

Ambassador David Kerál presenting his credentials to President Kersti Kaljulaid. Photo: Czech Embassy in Tallinn.

17 August 2021

Ambassador of Estonia to the Czech Republic Gita Kalmet presented her credentials to President Miloš Zeman

Ambassador Gita Kalmet and President Miloš Zeman after the presentation of credentials. Photo: Estonian Embassy in Prague

December 2021

Last Christmas at the current location of the embassy on Na Kampe Street

Photo: Giedrius Pocius, design: Frisk Creative