General information
I have worked as a diplomat, civil servant and entrepreneur, and have taken part in the processes through which Estonia regained its independence and built up its official agencies structure in the 1990s. I have advised the governments of countries carrying out democratic reforms, including Georgia and Ukraine. I took part in the Iraqi Freedom mission in 2003–2004. Areas close to my heart include individual freedoms and human rights, national defence and foreign policy, smart economy and caring businesses. In the Riigikogu, I will mostly dedicate myself to issues of security and foreign policy. I also intend to help repeal senseless regulations and take part in initiatives that take the relations between the citizen and the state to a more human level.
Parliamentary group:
Committee:
Delegation:
Electoral district:
E-mail:
Phone:
+372 631 6928
Seniority in days:
3895
Date of birth:
08.09.1967
Place of birth:
Tallinn
Family:
Married, one child
Education:
Tallinn School No. 21 in 1985;
University of Hamburg 1989–1990;University of Tartu, history (cum laude) 1991;
University College London School of Slavonic and East European Studies, MA in history 1994;
University of Tartu, Institute of Law 2000–2003
University of Hamburg 1989–1990;University of Tartu, history (cum laude) 1991;
University College London School of Slavonic and East European Studies, MA in history 1994;
University of Tartu, Institute of Law 2000–2003
Career:
Estonian Information Bureau in London, Director 1990‒1991;
Estonian Embassy in London, Chargé d’Affaires 1991–1992;
Estonian Mission to the UN, Minister-Counsellor 1992;
Estonian Embassy in the USA: Chargé d’Affaires 1992‒1993, Minister-Counsellor 1993‒1995;
Government Office, Office of the National Security Coordinator, Security Authorities Coordination Director 1995‒2000;
Security Adviser to President of the Republic 2001;
OÜ Trustcorp, Member of Board, 2000 –2015;
Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, Senior Director for Intelligence Institutions Development 2003‒2004;
Adviser of the Georgian National Security Council 2007‒2012
Estonian Embassy in London, Chargé d’Affaires 1991–1992;
Estonian Mission to the UN, Minister-Counsellor 1992;
Estonian Embassy in the USA: Chargé d’Affaires 1992‒1993, Minister-Counsellor 1993‒1995;
Government Office, Office of the National Security Coordinator, Security Authorities Coordination Director 1995‒2000;
Security Adviser to President of the Republic 2001;
OÜ Trustcorp, Member of Board, 2000 –2015;
Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, Senior Director for Intelligence Institutions Development 2003‒2004;
Adviser of the Georgian National Security Council 2007‒2012
Party affiliation:
Pro Patria and Res Publica Union 2011‒2014;
Estonian Reform Party 2014–, Member of Board
Estonian Reform Party 2014–, Member of Board
Membership in representative bodies:
13th Riigikogu 2015–2018, 14th Riigikogu (Deputy Chair of Study Committee on the Development of Estonian Language Instruction 2019–2021), 15th Riigikogu (Deputy Chair of Anti-Corruption Select Committee, Chair of Committee of investigation to investigate the influence activities of the Russian Federation, the methods of financing them, and the risks associated with them);
Tallinn City Council 2013–2015, 2017–2018, 2019, 2025–2026
Tallinn City Council 2013–2015, 2017–2018, 2019, 2025–2026
Awards:
Order of the White Star, 3rd Class 2008;
The Presidential Order of Excellence of Georgia 2013. Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal (Great Britain) 2007
The Presidential Order of Excellence of Georgia 2013. Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal (Great Britain) 2007
Other activities:
Estonian Heritage Society and Estonian Reserve Officers’ Association, founding member, reserve officer (Captain);
War Graves Commission of Ministry of Defence 2007‒;
Estonian Defence League and Estonian Students’ Society;
Estonian Former Forest Brothers Association, honorary member;
has advised governments of countries carrying out democratic reforms, including Georgia and Ukraine;
participated in Iraqi Freedom mission 2003–2004;
Harvard Law School, scholarship 2018;
books “Vabaduse väravad: valik tekste 1988‒2006” (“Gates of Freedom: Selected Texts 1988–2006”) 2007 and “Kross. Üksikud head mehed” (“Kross. A Few Good Men”, co-author) 2011;
has compiled the list “Pro Patria. II. Auraamat langenud ja hukkunud metsavendadele 1944‒1978 (lühinimestik). Tööversioon” (“Pro Patria II. Book of Honour for Killed and Fallen Forest Brothers 1944–1978: (A Short List): Working Version”) 1998 and memoirs of writer Jaan Kross “Kallid krantsid. Kirjad vangilaagritest ja asumiselt Siberis 1946–1954” (“Dear Mutts: Letters from Prison Camps and Exile in Siberia 1946–1954”) 2021;
numerous articles in the Estonian and international press
War Graves Commission of Ministry of Defence 2007‒;
Estonian Defence League and Estonian Students’ Society;
Estonian Former Forest Brothers Association, honorary member;
has advised governments of countries carrying out democratic reforms, including Georgia and Ukraine;
participated in Iraqi Freedom mission 2003–2004;
Harvard Law School, scholarship 2018;
books “Vabaduse väravad: valik tekste 1988‒2006” (“Gates of Freedom: Selected Texts 1988–2006”) 2007 and “Kross. Üksikud head mehed” (“Kross. A Few Good Men”, co-author) 2011;
has compiled the list “Pro Patria. II. Auraamat langenud ja hukkunud metsavendadele 1944‒1978 (lühinimestik). Tööversioon” (“Pro Patria II. Book of Honour for Killed and Fallen Forest Brothers 1944–1978: (A Short List): Working Version”) 1998 and memoirs of writer Jaan Kross “Kallid krantsid. Kirjad vangilaagritest ja asumiselt Siberis 1946–1954” (“Dear Mutts: Letters from Prison Camps and Exile in Siberia 1946–1954”) 2021;
numerous articles in the Estonian and international press
Hobbies:
archaeology, heritage conservation, military history, history, Forest Brothers movement, freedom movements of small nations