Estonian Ambassador to Iran presents her credentials

17.05.2018

On 15 May, Estonian Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran Marin Mõttus presented her credentials to President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran. Ambassador Mõttus resides in Ankara.

After the ceremony, Ambassador Mõttus and President Rouhani affirmed good relations between Estonia and Iran. President Rouhani pointed out that Iran was one of the first countries to recognise Estonia’s independence. Ambassador Mõttus said she is delighted at the opportunity to be the first Estonian ambassador to Iran.

Ambassador Mõttus noted that in terms of cooperation, the fields of IT and e-services are the most promising. “First contacts between Estonian and Iranian companies have been established and information on Estonia’s e-services and e-Residency has reached Iran,” Mõttus noted. There are 217 Estonian e-residents among Iranian citizens. Both the President and the Ambassador agreed that there are unused economic opportunities.

They also discussed opportunities to develop tourism between the two countries. Ambassador Mõttus says that both countries are interested in developing this sector. “Introducing Persian cultural heritage to Estonians could offer a number of interesting opportunities for tourism companies,” she added. Positive developments in the fields of education and science were also mentioned.

Ambassador Mõttus and President Rouhani also discussed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. “The Iran nuclear deal is important for Estonia. As an EU Member State we are ready to take steps that are realistic and allow the nuclear deal to be preserved,” Mõttus said. Ambassador Mõttus expressed hope that Iran will continue to implement its nuclear related commitments.

Ambassador Mõttus also introduced Estonian campaign to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2020-2021 to President Rouhani.

Marin Mõttus graduated from the University of Tartu’s Faculty of Estonian language and literature and in 2000 she earned her Master’s degree in international relations from the Diplomatic School of Spain in Madrid and Complutense University. Mõttus has worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1997. Since October 2010, Mõttus was Estonia’s Ambassador to Portugal and just before assuming her current position, she worked as Director of the Bureau of Asia, Africa, Australia and Latin America in the Foreign Ministry’s Political Department. Since June 2016, Mõttus is the Estonian Ambassador to Turkey, Lebanon and Azerbaijan.