Estonian foreign minister announces new ministry secretary general
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said former state secretary Taimar Peterkop will become the ministry's new secretary general. He replaces Jonaton Vseviov, who resigned to run in the 2027 election.
Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) announced on Monday that former state secretary Taimar Peterkop will become the new secretary general of the Foreign Ministry. Susan Lilleväli, director general of the ministry's communications department, confirmed that Tsahkna will put Peterkop's appointment to the government for approval.
Peterkop was named an advisor to President Ülle Madise's National Defense Council in September and will give up that post to take the ministry job. The long-serving civil servant explained that he can make better use of his broad management experience and other strengths as secretary general. In his words, he can be more useful to Estonia in that role.
The minister's reasoning
Tsahkna said Estonia's foreign service needs a strong and experienced secretary general with knowledge of how the state functions, of security policy and of strategic management in the public sector. He said the country has entered a turbulent era in which its security and freedom are at stake, and called for a joint effort to secure Estonia's independence, strengthen ties with allies, support Ukraine and defend the country's interests internationally.
According to the minister, Peterkop's strengths include seeing the bigger picture, strategic thinking and the ability to lead large organizations even in difficult circumstances.
Career background
Peterkop was state secretary from 2018 to 2025. From 2015 to 2018 he was director general of the Information System Authority (RIA). Earlier, he worked as undersecretary at the Ministry of Defense and as a defense policy adviser at the Estonian Embassy in Washington. He graduated from the University of Tartu's Faculty of Law and holds a master's degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College.
Peterkop replaces long-serving secretary general Jonaton Vseviov, who resigned at the end of October to join the Social Democratic Party and run in the 2027 election.
