Ukraine opens honorary consulate in Tartu municipality

An honorary consulate of Ukraine was officially opened in Tartu municipality on Saturday, established to deepen cooperation between Estonia and Ukraine and to support Ukrainian citizens residing in southern Estonia.

Honorary consul Siim Nellis said at the opening that Ukraine is no longer a distant country for Estonians, noting that the two nations are linked through people, businesses, educational institutions and shared values. He expressed hope that the new consulate would help deepen these ties further and open new opportunities for cooperation in both southern Estonia and Ukraine.

Tartu mayor Urmas Klaas highlighted the city's close relationship with Ukraine, including its partnership with sister city Lviv, and said the honorary consulate would play an important role in advancing relations between the two countries and their local governments.

Klaas also pointed out the practical benefit the new office offers the local community. About 3,000 Ukrainians live in Tartu on a permanent basis, while many others stay in the region for shorter periods, and the consulate will be able to provide them with important support when needed.

Greetings at the opening ceremony were also delivered by Ukraine's ambassador to Estonia, Volodymyr Boiechko, Erika Ellamaa-Ots of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Tartu municipal mayor Jarno Laur. Speakers underlined the partnership between Estonia and Ukraine and the value of cooperation at the regional level.

The honorary consulate is housed within the HUUM company's production and business complex on Vahi tee.