The Estonian Foreign Policy Institute (Eesti Välispoliitika Instituut – EVI) was founded in 2000 and has been a member of TEPSA since 2003. It is an independent think tank which is primarily funded by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Like institutions in Estonia generally, it is rather small, consisting of four members of staff. The Founding Director of EVI was Prof. Andres Kasekamp and as of 2013, the Executive Director is Prof. Lauri Mälksoo. Kasekamp remains responsible for EVI’s interaction with TEPSA and its member institutes.
EVI’s mission is to promote a deeper understanding of international affairs and of Estonia’s role in a changing world by providing a forum for informed discussion, analysis and debate. European Union integration and enlargement have always been a particular focus. To this end, EVI staff contribute commentary to the media, arrange public lectures, organize seminars and conferences, and participate in international research networks. In addition to fostering the development of a global affairs constituency, EVI produces research utilized in foreign policy decision-making. To accomplish this, EVI co-operates closely with government bodies, universities, and other research institutes in Estonia and abroad.
EVI’s core areas of competence and research interest are the following:
EU foreign and security policy;
Baltic Sea regional cooperation;
Developments in the Eastern Neighbourhood and Russia;
Transatlantic relations;
International law and foreign policy
In addition to these fields of research, EVI intends on broadening its focus this year to include Asia and the Arctic.
EVI’s flagship publication has been its annual Estonian Foreign Policy Yearbook (available online). EVI has compiled studies for Estonian ministries and institutions as well as for the European Parliament (as part of the TEPSA framework contract).
EVI organizes conferences, seminars, and public lectures, the most recent of which include:
Low Intensity Cyber Operations – The International Legal Regime, together with the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence and the University of Tartu, 17-18 February 2014;
Europe under pressure – how to overcome divisions and secure EU strength and coherence, together with fellow TEPSA member Institut für Europäische Politik, 21-22 November 2013
Human Rights and Foreign Policy: Symposium Reflecting on Estonia’s First Year in the UN Human Rights Council, 29 August 2013
For more information on EVI, our publications, events and latest analyses, please visit our website. You are also welcome to contact us at evi@evi.ee and follow EVI on Twitter @Estonian_EVI Twitter.