The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to move Ambassador Marge Mardisalu-Kahari from Tbilisi to Yerevan and end her posting as Georgian ambassador. Chargé d’Affaires Gita Kalmet will head the embassy before the appointment of a new ambassador.
According to the Estonian Public Broadcaster, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 11 informed Georgia’s chargé d’affaires that Estonia’s Ambassador to Georgia, Marge Mardisalu-Kahar, will conclude her mission in Tbilisi on March 10, the ministry’s press service said. Until a new ambassador is appointed, Estonia’s Embassy in Georgia will be headed by Chargé d’Affaires Gita Kalmet, the ministry added.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to specify when a new ambassador to Georgia might be appointed.
The Estonian Foreign Ministry noted on its website that Estonia has long contributed to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration. However, in light of the Georgian authorities’ systematic drift away from democracy, including shortcomings in meeting the conditions set for European Union candidate status, supporting Georgian state institutions is no longer an Estonian foreign policy priority. Estonia continues to support the development of civil society and free media, it added.
Estonia also reaffirmed its consistent support for Georgia’s territorial integrity, noting that one Estonian expert is serving with the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia.

