West Coast protesters, predominantly Estonians, voice their opposition to the planned closure of the San Francisco consulate.
Hey there! Let me fill you in on the latest buzz over in the United States. The Estonian community, based primarily on the West Coast, has penned an open letter to the Estonian foreign minister, expressing their concerns over the planned shutdown of the Estonian Consulate General in San Francisco.
"Dear Foreign Minister, we, the Estonians and friends of Estonia in the Bay Area and beyond, are disheartened by the proposed closure of your consulate in San Francisco next year," the letter reads.
"The consulate, in operation since 2020, has quickly become a cornerstone of Estonian life in the Bay Area and across the Western U.S. By forging strong connections with various sectors, such as business, diplomacy, government, education, and culture, it has positioned itself to tap into unique opportunities on the West Coast," the signatories elaborate.
The letter goes on to express equal apprehension regarding the potential closure of the New York City consulate, arguing that retaining both consulates is vital for Estonia's self-interest. They particularly appeal to the foreign ministry to grant the investments in the San Francisco Bay Area and the West Coast the time needed to flourish.
"Our top priority was advancing economic relations and cooperation when the consulate opened in 2019, along with providing services to the growing Estonian population in California. After all, California boasts the largest economy of any U.S. state and ranks fifth in the world if considered a country," the letter adds.
"Silicon Valley, as a global digital innovation powerhouse, needs no introduction; when the consulate opened in 2019, around 30 Estonian companies were already established there. Although the startup landscape evolves constantly, the critical role of this hub in both Estonian and Californian economies is undeniable," the protestors stress.
Limiting Estonia’s Global Reach
According to the signatories, the San Francisco consulate serves 13 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, collectively representing half of the United States' total area.
"Estonian citizens travel, study, and work here. In the period from April 2022 to April 2023, the consulate provided 1,000 consular services. San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles are three time zones and nearly 4,000 km away from Washington D.C., making them significant distances from Estonia's European capital, Tallinn," the letter further explains.
The letter's signatories acknowledge Estonia's need to manage its resources prudently and set its own priorities. However, they caution that closing the consulate in the West Coast could be a short-sighted decision that curtails Estonia's global footprint and influence at a time when such reach is crucial.
"On behalf of various Estonian communities, organizations, and individuals who have supported Estonia's freedom and the preservation of Estonian identity and culture here, we implore you to reconsider this decision," the letter concludes.
Notable signatories of the open letter include Tiit Helimets, a recently retired principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet; Jaan Puhvel, a renowned professor of linguistics at UCLA; Jüri Koll, a film director and a member of the Directors Guild of America; Ralf-Martin Soe, an Estonian visiting scholar at Stanford University; Sten Tamkivi, a long-time CEO of Skype Estonia; and numerous organizations representing Estonians in the West Coast.
In essence, the Estonian community is rallying against the potential loss of their essential connection to Estonia and its interests overseas. The consulate's closure could negatively impact Estonia's ability to maintain diplomatic and cultural ties, offer efficient consular services, and engage with local institutions and communities on the West Coast, potentially undermining Estonia's global reach and influence. So, come on, minister, let's reconsider this decision and keep the Estonian spirit alive and thriving on the West Coast!
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- The Estonian community, based primarily on the West Coast, has expressed their concerns over the proposed closure of the Estonian Consulate General in San Francisco next year.
- In their open letter to the Estonian foreign minister, they argue that retaining the San Francisco and New York City consulates is vital for Estonia's self-interest.
- The signatories stress the importance of the San Francisco consulate in fostering connections with various sectors such as business, diplomacy, government, education, and culture.
- The consulate, they explain, serves 13 states across the western US, collectively representing half of the United States' total area, and provides essential consular services to thousands of Estonian citizens.
- The closure of the consulate could negatively impact Estonia's ability to maintain diplomatic and cultural ties, engage with local institutions and communities, and potentially undermine Estonia's global influence.
- Numerous Estonian community leaders and organizations have signed the open letter, urging the foreign minister to reconsider the decision and keep the Estonian spirit alive on the West Coast.
