Vagif Seyidbayov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Akram Abdullayev, Executive Director of the Fund for Support to Azerbaijani Diaspora and committee staff visited Estonia.

Within the framework of the visit, a meeting with the Azerbaijani community living in that country and a regular meeting of the Coordination Council of Azerbaijanis living in the Baltic countries were held.

The meeting with Azerbaijani community in Estonia was held at the Azerbaijan House operating in Tallinn. During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on the diaspora activities of our compatriots in Estonia and ways to strengthen them, the duties ahead, as well as the development of relations among Azerbaijanis living in the Baltic states. Special attention was given to consolidating community solidarity, increasing youth involvement in diaspora activities, and broadening efforts in the fields of culture and education.

In his speech, Vagif Seyidbayov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan provided information on the Committee’s activity, implemented projects. He emphasized the work carried out toward the organization of Azerbaijanis living abroad and the defence of national interests globally. He highlighted that regardless of where they live in the world, the Azerbaijani diaspora serves our national interests and plays an important role in conveying our country’s rightful voice to the international community.

Anar Mammadov, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Estonia stated that the public activity and unity of Azerbaijanis living in this country are are of great importance for the success of diaspora initiatives and also make a significant contribution to promoting Azerbaijan’s national interests.

Then Gulnara Vals, the principal of the Turkic school in Estonia, Azerbaijani language teacher, was presented the “For Service in Diaspora Activities” medal of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The event was followed by the next meeting of the Coordination Council of Azerbaijanis living in the Baltic states and the elections of coordinators for Estonia. Orkhan Oktain was elected as the new coordinator.

It should be noted that Orkhan Oktain received a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a master’s degree in Europe–Asia Studies from Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech). He has worked as a monitoring specialist at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.

Committee staff also visited the educational, cultural, and sports organizations established by our compatriots, and became acquainted with their activities.

First, the delegation visited the “Buta Art Studio” Azerbaijani Creative Centre, and the head of the centre, Rovshan Guliyev (Nur) briefed them on the implemented work. He noted that recent projects, exhibitions, and masterclasses have aimed to promote Azerbaijani culture in Estonia. He expressed his gratitude to the State Committee and the Support Fund for their ongoing assistance in organizing exhibitions in Estonia and other countries. He also spoke about the centre’s future plans.

Afterwards the employees of the Committee visited the weekend Azerbaijani school under the University of Tallinn. Emphasizing that President Ilham Aliyev places special importance on the preservation of the Azerbaijani language and its promotion at the international level, Deputy Chairman Vagif Seyidbayov highlighted the significance of teaching the Azerbaijani language abroad. Sanam Aliyeva, co-chair of the Estonian Academy of Career Education and a teacher at weekend school, provided detailed information on the educational institution. She noted that the school’s activities are organized in accordance with President Ilham Aliyev’s directives and recommendations regarding the Azerbaijani language, and that it receives support from the Committee. Committee officials observed the lessons and listened to the students’ performances.

As part of the visit, a meeting was also held with the leaders of the “FC Garabagh Tallinn” mini-football team Emin Munshiyev, Bakhtiyar Jabrayilov, and the sports director, Elnur Valiyev. During the meeting, discussions focused on the team’s activities, increasing interest in sports among Azerbaijani youth living in Estonia, and the contribution of this field to diaspora activities. It was noted that the team, which has been active since 2024 and carries the name of Garabagh, has consistently received support from the State Committee and the Support Fund for its participation in games held in Estonia and abroad.

The next visit was to the Puppet Theatre “Avshar”, established in 1996. Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan and the theatre’s artistic director Rauf Avshar spoke about the theatre’s activities aimed at promoting the national and moral values of our people. He emphasized the importance of this work in fostering interest in our cultural heritage among children and youth. He brought to the attention that the rich tradition of Azerbaijani theatre, including its roots in national folk games such as the “Kilimarası” (Out of carpet) and the "Maral oyunu" (The Deer game), is preserved at the Puppet Theatre “Avshar” and promoted in Estonia.

During the visit, officials of the State Committee also visited several other cultural and educational institutions operating in Estonia.