In presenting the decoration, President Karis remarked that Ambassador Kantola’s time in office would be remembered for Finland’s historic decision to join NATO. “That choice will bring our two countries even closer together and open up new opportunities for enhanced defence and security cooperation,” he said.
The Estonian head of state noted that Ambassador Kantola had actively fostered partnerships between Estonia and Finland in some very practical fields. “I have no doubt that our two countries set a fine example to others in promoting digital cooperation,” President Karis said.
Ambassador Kantola’s time in office has coincided with the centenary of diplomatic relations between Estonia and Finland, the organisation of communication between the two countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and the development of the third report on the future of Estonian-Finnish cooperation.
Timo Kantola became the Finnish ambassador to Estonia in September 2018. He will be taking up the post of Finland’s Consul General in Hong Kong this autumn.
