The Republic of Estonia gained its independence from the Russian Empire on 24 February 1918 and established diplomatic relations with many countries via membership of the League of Nations.
The annexed land had been within the borders Estonia approved by Russia in the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty.
The forcible incorporation of Estonia into the Soviet Union in 1940 was not generally recognised by the international community and the Estonian diplomatic service continued to operate in some countries.
Following the restoration of independence from the Soviet Union, Russia was one of the first nations to re-recognize Estonia's independence (the first country to do so was Iceland on 22 August 1991).
Uruguay re-recognised Estonia's independence on 28 August 1991.
It has also shown continued interest in becoming a full member in the Nordic Council. Whereas in 1992 Russia accounted for 92% of Estonia's international trade, today there is extensive economic interdependence between Estonia and its Nordic neighbors: three-quarters of foreign investment in Estonia originates in the Nordic countries (principally Finland and Sweden), to which Estonia sends 42% of its exports (as compared to 6.5% going to Russia, 8.8% to Latvia, and 4.7% to Lithuania).
Ratification is still pending. ==Diplomatic relationships== Estonia established diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan on 27 May 1992.
Estonia and Uruguay established diplomatic relations on 30 September 1992.
In August 1994, this was completed.
However, relations with Moscow have remained strained primarily because Russia decided not to ratify the border treaty it had signed with Estonia in 1999. ==Trends following re-independence== Since regaining independence, Estonia has pursued a foreign policy of close cooperation with Western European nations.
In December 1999 Estonian foreign minister (and since 2006, president of Estonia) Toomas Hendrik Ilves delivered a speech entitled "Estonia as a Nordic Country" to the Swedish Institute for International Affairs.
In 2003, the foreign ministry also hosted an exhibit called "Estonia: Nordic with a Twist".
The two most important policy objectives in this regard have been accession into NATO and the European Union, achieved in March and May 2004 respectively.
And in 2005, Estonia joined the European Union's Nordic Battle Group.
However, the Boris Yeltsin government disavowed any responsibility for acts committed by the Soviet Union. After signing the border treaty by the corresponding foreign minister in 2005, it was ratified by the Estonian government and president.
In December 1999 Estonian foreign minister (and since 2006, president of Estonia) Toomas Hendrik Ilves delivered a speech entitled "Estonia as a Nordic Country" to the Swedish Institute for International Affairs.
The decision to participate in the preparation of a financial transaction tax in 2012 reflects this shift in Estonia's EU policy. An important element in Estonia's post-independence reorientation has been closer ties with the Nordic countries, especially Finland and Sweden.
Negotiations were reopened in 2012 and the Treaty was signed in February 2014.
Negotiations were reopened in 2012 and the Treaty was signed in February 2014.
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