Ambassador Aivo Orav
Estonian Permanent Representation to the European Union
Estonia became an EU member state in 2004 after six years of accession negotiations. At the same time, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta, and Cyprus joined the EU.
In 2007, Estonia joined the Schengen visa area, where border controls between countries have been abolished. In 2011, Estonia adopted the common currency, the euro.
In the second half of 2017, we held the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Namely, the Council of the EU is chaired by all EU Member States for six-month periods in accordance with the agreed schedule.
The main substantive task of the Presidency is to guide legislation and policy-making as the holder of presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Presidency discusses the proposals with the European Parliament and represents the Council in relations with the other EU institutions, third countries, and the public. Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the European Council, where Estonia is represented by the prime minister, has guided the choice of strategic topics and political priorities, as well as the pace of negotiations. In Estonia, EU policy is coordinated by the European Union Secretariat of the Government Office.
Professional Experience
| 2020 – | Ambassador, Permanent Representative Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU |
| 2016 – 2020 | Ambassador, Head of EU Delegation in Montenegro |
| 2012 – 2016 | Ambassador, Head of EU Delegation in Republic of North Macedonia |
| 2011 – 2012 | Ambassador to Lebanon (residing in Turkey) |
| 2008 – 2012 | Ambassador in Azerbaijan (residing in Turkey) |
| 2008 – 2012 | Ambassador to Turkey |
| 2005 – 2008 | Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia |
| 2005- 2012 | Ambassador to the Republic of North Macedonia (residing in Poland, Estonia, Turkey) |
| 2001 – 2005 | Ambassador to Bulgaria (residing in Poland) |
| 2001 – 2005 | Ambassador to Romania (residing in Poland) |
| 2000 – 2005 | Ambassador to Poland |
| 1999 – 2000 | Director of Division (Security Policy and International Organizations) Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia |
| 1998 – 1999 | First Secretary (NATO, WEU) Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia |
| 1995 – 1998 | First Secretary Permanent Mission of the Republic of Estonia to the OSCE in Vienna |
| 1992 – 1995 | Second Secretary (OSCE) Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia |
| 1990 – 1992 | Teacher, Kuressaare High School No. 1 |
Education and training
1999 – Disarmament and Security Policy Course (Marshall Center)
1993 – UN Disarmament Fellowship Program (Geneva, Vienna, New York)
1992 – Estonian School of Diplomacy
1990 – Graduated from Tartu University, Faculty of Physics and Chemistry
Foreign languages: English, Russian, French, Bulgarian
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