Tallinn reassigns envoy to Yerevan amid cooling ties with Georgia

Estonia has decided to reassign its ambassador, Marge Mardisalu-Kahar, from Tbilisi to Yerevan, formally ending her diplomatic mission in Georgia. The decision reflects a cooling in relations with the Georgian government alongside a parallel strengthening of ties with Armenia.

According to Estonian media, the Estonian Foreign Ministry notified the chargé d’affaires in Georgia on February 11 that Mardisalu-Kahar’s posting would conclude on March 10. Until a new ambassador is appointed, the Estonian embassy in Tbilisi will be headed by Chargé d’Affaires Gita Kalmet. The ministry has not indicated when a successor will be named.

In Yerevan, Mardisalu-Kahar will become Estonia’s first resident ambassador. The opening of an Estonian embassy in Armenia is scheduled for March, following a government decision adopted in November 2025.

Estonia established its embassy in Georgia in 2006, while Georgia opened its embassy in Estonia in 2007. At present, Georgia does not have an ambassador accredited to Estonia. Bilateral relations between Tallinn and Tbilisi have deteriorated following the change of власти in Georgia and the authorities’ suppression of protests.

At the same time, Estonia’s relations with Armenia have advanced rapidly amid political developments in the country, including closer engagement with the European Union and the launch of a reconciliation process with Azerbaijan. As noted on the website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Relations between Estonia and Armenia are stable and good, and since 2023 have been developing along an upward trajectory. Bilateral visits and meetings have taken place at the level of presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers.”

The ministry emphasised that Estonia will continue supporting civil society and independent media in Georgia, as well as the country’s territorial integrity, despite assigning lower priority to cooperation with Georgian state institutions. One Estonian expert is currently serving within the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia.

By Tamilla Hasanova