Ainge: Estonia's next president should be judged by his or her diplomatic influence
On the eve of the presidential election in Estonia, Karoliina Ainge, an expert on foreign policy and cybersecurity, suggested evaluating the future head of state based on whether he or she would be able to strengthen the country’s international influence. In a column for ERR News, she noted that for modern Estonia, it is no longer enough to simply “represent the country to the world,” as the nation has accumulated significant diplomatic capital.
According to Ainge, Estonia has access to international partners, established relationships, and trust, and its positions in certain areas are anticipated and taken into account. She believes that diplomatic influence is not always visible in the media: it can manifest itself in the inclusion of an idea in the text of an international agreement or in a much more powerful state beginning to advocate a position that is important to the country.
As an example, the expert cited Estonia’s work on the UN Security Council in 2020–2021. During its term as an elected member, the country identified cybersecurity as one of its priorities and organized the Security Council’s first formal meeting on this topic in 2021. After Estonia’s term ended, other countries kept this issue on the agenda, Ainge noted.
For more breaking news, follow the UA.News Telegram channel.
She emphasized that diplomatic ties are forged over years and must be maintained despite changes in governments, ministers, and presidents. According to Ainge, the president should leverage access to other heads of state and maintain relations during periods when the government is focused on current priorities.
Ainge cited Lennart Meri, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, and Kaja Kallas, who served as prime minister, as examples of politicians who have significantly influenced Estonia’s foreign policy history. She suggested evaluating the next president based on whether the country’s international ties become stronger, whether the circle of partners to turn to in difficult times expands, and whether Estonia’s diplomatic clout increases.
