Estonian Ambassador Marina Kaljurand Speaks at SU March 13

SALISBURY, MD---Her Excellency Marina Kaljurand, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America from the Republic of Estonia, speaks at Salisbury University on Tuesday, March 13, at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall of Holloway Hall.  She discusses Estonia’s strategic partnership with the U.S. and the role of the Baltic States in today’s world.

“I am pleased to welcome Ambassador Kaljurand to the Eastern Shore and to Salisbury University,” said President Janet Dudley-Eshbach. “The State of Maryland enjoys close strategic relationships with Estonia, a parliamentary republic known for its strong commitment to democracy and to free markets. Estonia has a highly educated citizenry, and our campus enjoys academic partnerships with this dynamic nation.  Faculty visits, cultural celebrations and a study abroad program for SU students at the Ambassador’s alma mater, the renowned University of Tartu – all complement Salisbury’s ‘Sister City’ friendship with Tartu.”

Kaljurand assumed the position in September 2011. Previously, she was under secretary for foreign economic relations and development aid with the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2005-2011, she was, at various times, ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and the State of Israel. From 2008-2011, she also was chief negotiator for the accession of the Republic of Estonia into the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

During her 20 years as a career diplomat, Kaljurand served as under secretary for legal and consular affairs from 2002-2005 and director general of the Legal Department from 1999-2001. She was a member of the governmental delegation that negotiated the land and maritime boundaries agreements between Estonia and the Russian Federation from 1995-2005. She also served as head of the legal working group of the Accession Treaty from 2002-2004 regarding Estonia joining the European Union, which was successfully achieved in 2004.

Kaljurand has held other senior positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as counselor to the Estonian embassy in Helsinki, Finland, and as director of the International Treaties Division, where she served as Estonia’s legal expert in structuring the agreement on Russian Federation troop withdrawal in 1994. She also was the third secretary within the Press and Information Department. Prior to entering diplomatic service, she was a lecturer in law at the Tallinn Economic Technical School.

The ambassador was awarded the Order of the White Star, Third Class, by the President of Estonia in 2004 and the Order of the National Coat of Arms in 2008.

Kaljurand is the founding member of the Estonian branch of the International Law Association and the Estonian branch of Women in International Security. She is a member of Tallinn University’s board of trustees and lectures at the Estonian School of Diplomacy.

Born in Tallinn, Estonia’s capital and largest city, Kaljurand is married with two children. She earned her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tartu and received a degree in international relations from the Estonian School of Diplomacy. She earned her M.A. in international law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, where she was a Fulbright Scholar. She is fluent in Estonian, Russian and English.

Her visit is sponsored by SU’s U.S. Army ROTC program, Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology, Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts, Center for International Education and Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE). Admission is free and the public is invited.

For more information call 410-677-0275 (ROTC) or 410-677-5045 (PACE), or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.