Today, the European Union appointed Aivo Orav as its new ambassador to Kosovo.
Orav is an experienced Estonian diplomat with extensive national and EU experience across a wide range of positions.
He will assume his duties on September 1, 2024, for an initial period of two years, succeeding Tomáš Szunyog, who has been in the role since 2020.
Orav is currently the Permanent Representative of Estonia to the EU.
“Orav will play a leading role in promoting a sustainable, peaceful, democratic, and multi-ethnic Kosovo that cooperates with the region. He will also support Kosovo’s European perspective and rapprochement with the EU and will monitor, assist, and facilitate progress on political, economic, and European priorities,” said the EU announcement.
His Experience:
- 2020 – Present: Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Estonia to the EU
- 2016 – 2020: Ambassador, Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro
- 2012 – 2016: Ambassador, Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of North Macedonia
- 2011 – 2012: Ambassador to Lebanon (based in Turkey)
- 2008 – 2012: Ambassador to Azerbaijan (based in Turkey)
- 2008 – 2012: Ambassador to Turkey
- 2005 – 2008: Director of Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia
- 2005 – 2012: Ambassador to the Republic of North Macedonia (based in Poland, Estonia, Turkey)
- 2001 – 2005: Ambassador to Bulgaria (based in Poland)
- 2001 – 2005: Ambassador to Romania (based in Poland)
- 2000 – 2005: Ambassador to Poland
- 1999 – 2000: Director of Division (Security Policies and International Organizations) Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia
- 1998 – 1999: First Secretary (NATO, WEU) Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia
- 1995 – 1998: First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Estonia to the OSCE in Vienna
- 1992 – 1995: Second Secretary (OSCE) Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia
- 1990 – 1992: Teacher, Kuressaare High School “Education and Training”
Courses and Education:
- 1999: Course on Disarmament and Security Policy (Marshall Center)
- 1993: UN Disarmament Fellowship Program (Geneva, Vienna, New York)
- 1992: Estonian School of Diplomacy
- 1990: Graduated from Tartu University, Faculty of Physics and Chemistry
Foreign Languages: English, Russian, French, Bulgarian.
