The mission of the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute, Eesti Välispoliitika Instituut (EVI), is to promote a deeper understanding of international affairs and of Estonia's role in a changing world by providing a forum for informed discussion, analysis and debate. To this end, the staff of EVI contribute commentary to the media, arrange public lectures, organize seminars and conferences, and participate in international research networks.

In addition to fostering the development of a global affairs constituency, EVI produces research utilized in foreign policy decision-making. To accomplish this, EVI co-operates closely with government bodies, universities, and other research institutes in Estonia and abroad.

Three broad areas form the focal point for the current research interests of EVI:

• Regional security


• European Union integration and enlargement


• Developments in Russia

EVI is an independent, non-profit, partly publicly supported foundation managed by its Director, Dr Lauri Mälksoo, Professor of International Law at the University of Tartu. EVI was established in 2000 on the initiative of Foreign Minister Toomas Hendrik Ilves. The Foreign Minister is ex officio the Chairman of the Advisory Board, which also includes the Minister of Defence and the Chairmen of the Parliamentary Committees for Foreign Affairs, Defence, and European Affairs as well as other international relations experts.