Foreign Ministry Protocol Chief on Zelenskyy: He Has Excellent Manners

Kuku Radio's "Kahe Vahel" programme hosted Urmas Eigla, head of the Foreign Ministry's protocol department, who is responsible for the receptions of high-level foreign visitors to Estonia. Eigla discussed the conduct of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the development of Estonian diplomatic protocol. The diplomat, who has worked in the foreign service for 27 years, has served at Estonian embassies in Rome, Lisbon, and in a special mission in Brazil.

Kuku Radio's programme "Kahe Vahel" invited to the studio Urmas Eigla, head of the Foreign Ministry's protocol department, who is one of those people responsible for ensuring the impeccable reception of heads of state and other high-ranking foreign guests visiting Estonia.

Zelenskyy's Good Conduct

Programme hosts Timo Tarve and Ainar Ruussaar spoke with Eigla about his long career and observations from high-level diplomacy. Among other things, Eigla mentioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying that he is a person with excellent manners, polite and well-versed in protocol-a head of state who demonstrates respect for diplomatic norms.

The Roots of Estonian Protocol

When discussing the roots of Estonian diplomatic protocol, one cannot overlook Lennart Meri, whose style and personality left a profound mark on how the Estonian state receives its guests. According to Eigla, Estonian protocol to this day is based largely on the principles and ideas shaped by Meri.

Urmas Eigla graduated from the Estonian Humanities University with a degree in Romance languages and further studied at the University of Florence. During his 27-year career in the foreign service, he has worked at Estonian embassies in Rome and Lisbon, as well as in a special mission in Brazil, and has served as Estonian ambassador in several Latin American countries.

The full interview with Urmas Eigla can be heard on Kuku Radio's programme "Kahe Vahel".