Kristiina Ojuland

Kristiina Ojuland in 2011.

Kristiina Ojuland (born 17 December 1966 in Kohtla-Järve, Estonia) was the foreign minister of Estonia from 2002 through 2005. In June 2004 she ran for the post of secretary-general of the Council of Europe, but was defeated, receiving 51 of 299 votes. She is a member of the Estonian Reform Party and since 2009 she serves as 1 of the 6 Estonian MEPs in the European parliament.

She is a member of the Reconciliation of European Histories Group.

Education

1993: Vienna School of International Studies, special program

1992: Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, special program.

1992: Graduated from the Estonian School of Diplomacy in Tallinn.

1990: LL.B, Law Faculty, University of Tartu

Career

2009–: Member of European Parliament (ALDE)

2007–: Vice President of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR), member of the ELDR Bureau

2007–: Vice-chair of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, ALDE-PACE Group

2007–2009: First vice-speaker of Riigikogu

2004–2007: Chair of the European Affairs Committee of Riigikogu

2002–2005: Minister of Foreign Affairs

1994–2002: Member of Riigikogu (parliament), member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, chair of the Estonian French parliamentary friendship group (1996 2002)

1996–2002: Head of the Estonian Parliamentary Delegation to PACE; Vice President of the PACE, Member of the Bureau

1999–2002: Leader of the PACE LDR Group

1999–2002: Vice President of the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR), member of the ELDR Bureau

1995–2002: Foreign Secretary of the Estonian Reform Party

1994–1996: Director of the Estonian Broadcasting Association

1993–1994: Permanent Representative of Estonia to the Council of Europe

1992–1993: Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for Council of Europe

1990–1992: Estonian Ministry of Justice, Draft Legislation Department

Kristiina Ojuland in 2004.

Decorations

• Commander of the Legion of Honour (France)
• Grand Cross of the Order of Infante D. Henrique (Portugal)
• The Order of the National Coat of Arms 5th class (Estonia)
• Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the Republic of Austria (Austria)

Personal life

From 1987 to 2000, Ojuland was married to Erik Siigur. Her current partner of seven years is Estonian businessman Raimo Kägu.

References

• BBC report on sacking

Preceded by Toomas Hendrik Ilves

Minister of Foreign Affairs January 2002 – February 2005

Succeeded by Jaak Jõerüüt