Estonia maintains a rental agreement for an ambassador's residence in the United States, costing $30,000 monthly while their consulate is shut down.
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Estonia Plans to Shut Down Consulates, Yet Spends Big Bucks on Ambassador's Swanky Pad
While Estonia sparks controversy by shutting down its consulate general in New York City, and adding fuel to the fire by announcing plans to close another in San Francisco, here's the real kicker: the ministry is shelling out a massive $30,000 a month on the ambassador's fancy-schmancy residence nestled in the heart of the United Nations.
When we dug the dirt, multiple insiders tipped us off about the extravagant spending on the ambassador's swanky digs, all while the ministry claimed cost-cutting measures were the reason behind the controversial closure of the consulates. The US premises of the consulate general in New York City? Part of the existing UN permanent mission, which the country already owns, costing next to nothing.
Mihkel Tamm, the chief communications officer at the Estonian foreign ministry, spilled the beans about the luxurious $30,000 monthly residence rent - totaling a whopping $360,000 a year – for ambassador Rein Tammsaar.
"The high cost of the residence is influenced by the high rental prices in New York and the special conditions set by the foreign ministry for its location, security, and soundproofed audience room where high-level guests can be hosted and diplomatic audiences can be held," Tamm explained.
Tammsaar slid into the ambassador role in August 2022, taking over for previous ambassador Sven Jürgenson, who camped out in a more modestly priced $7,500 per month New York City apartment during his tenure.
Fancier Digs Needed During UNSC Stint
"It's important to note that ambassador Jürgenson (and the others) lived comfortably in a home, not a swanky crib," Tamm remarked. "However, since August 2022, Tammsaar now beds down in a luxury apartment, which, in essence, is leagues apart and carries far higher expectations."
"A swanky pad, in addition to a comfortable living space, is also a bustling workspace where meetings and audiences can be held. It's a prestigious representation of Estonia that demands significant financial efforts by the state," Tamm added.
But why spring for the luxurious pad now, when Estonia was likely better off splurging during his tenure on the UN Security Council between 2020 and 2021? A senior diplomat explained to us under the cover of anonymity that it would have been more practical to have the swanky digs during the UNSC stint, rather than afterward.
"During the Security Council tenure, Tammsaar could have truly made the most out of the fancy ride, delivering a solid return on the investment," the source spilled. And remember, shoehorning in high-level guests and hosting diplomatic audiences isn't a nightly occurrence for the ambassador.
Estonia: UN is Central to Foreign Policy
The foreign ministry maintains that maintaining a notable presence at the UN is crucial for Estonia's foreign policy. The swanky apartment is just one of the ways torepresent Estonia to the local Estonian community and host cultural events.
In light of the escalating tensions with Russia, the ministry asserts that the role of the UN and foreign policy initiatives at the UN have become even more essential in guaranteeing continued international support for Ukraine and isolating Russia politically.
The Struggle for Cost-Cutting
The foreign ministry insists that the closure of both consulates is a tough political decision by foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, and his responsibility. And, while the New York City consulate will shutter, the ministry plans to continue providing consular services at an exceptional level, at least in theory.
"The consular services will continue at the same location, offered by a consul who will be employed as a staff member of the Washington, DC embassy. Whether they'll be permanently stationed in New York or visit periodically – that's to be decided," Tamm said, adding that the switch will cut costs by nearly $700,000 annually.
NYC Consulate Could Keep its Doors Open
"It's absurd that Estonia is wasting $360,000 a year on a swanky apartment for Tammsaar, given that the workings of the UN, where not many key decisions are made," the source scoffed. "With a minimal effort, Estonia could have kept the New York City consulate open."
Could it be time for Estonia to curb its spending on luxurious ambassadorial digs and focus on essential consular services to the estimated 50,000 Estonians living in the US? It's a question worth asking.
- Estonian culture, deeply rooted in life, is often showcased through cultural events held at the ambassador's swanky residence in New York, a crucial part of the foreign ministry's representation of Estonia in the United States.
- The closing of Estonian consulates in New York City and San Francisco, despite allegedly being due to cost-cutting measures, contrasts sharply with the ministry's significant expenditure on the ambassador's luxurious apartment, amounting to $360,000 per year.
- Estonia's foreign policy strongly emphasizes the central role of the United Nations, with the swanky apartment serving as a prestigious representation of Estonia in the UN, hosting important meetings and diplomatic audiences.
- The ambassador's luxurious apartment, a significant financial burden, could have been more advantageously used during Estonia's tenure on the UN Security Council between 2020 and 2021, as opposed to after this period.
- In the midst of escalating tensions with Russia, Estonia's foreign policy initiatives at the UN have become increasingly important, aiming to secure continued international support for Ukraine and isolate Russia politically.
- The foreign ministry contends that the closure of both consulates is a political decision by foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, and that consular services will still be provided, though this raises questions about the rationality of spending $360,000 annually on an ambassador's luxurious apartment.
- The extensive costs associated with the ambassador's fancy-schmancy residence have been justified by the high rental prices in New York, the special conditions set by the foreign ministry, and the need for a soundproofed audience room for high-level guests and diplomatic audiences.
- The estimated 50,000 Estonians living in the US might question the wisdom of Estonia's spending on the luxurious apartment, given the potential for maintaining essential consular services and addressing policy-and-legislation matters, general news, security, opinion, and business issues within the Estonian community in the US.
