Members of the Estonian community in the United States are calling for at least one consulate general to remain open. According to them, the decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not bring the hoped-for savings, but only disappointment in Estonia.
Ambassador Kristjan Prikk points out that, unlike many other institutions, there is not much room for cuts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, because the majority of the budget consists of fixed costs.
“Sending people to serve abroad involves expenses for the maintenance of family members, including expenses related to children’s education, expenses related to the stay of partners or spouses there, and so on. Perhaps we cannot only look at the expenses directly related to service abroad”. the employees themselves,” Prikk told ERR.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the closure of the consulates in New York and San Francisco will save 1.2 million euros a year.
Both Consulates General currently employ two consular diplomats and one locally employed secretary. The employment contracts of all six will be terminated.
At the same time, the State Department is creating a consular and economic diplomat position at the Embassy in Washington.
According to foreigner Merike Barborak, this work could instead be done in New York, which would allow the consulate general to remain open. According to him, the cost of living in Washington is not low enough to make significant savings.
“We’re talking about when the consul now starts going to New York to do a consular reception, all the travel expenses, the lodging expenses, that number that will be added up here in a couple of years, I think you can see that not there are savings,” Barborak said.
Barborak emphasized that the Consulate General’s services are not only used by New York residents. People coming from further afield often have to take time off work and stay in hotels to obtain documents.
“If the price of this passport reaches a thousand dollars, it will not be received. This passport will not be received and the Estonian state will lose its citizens. Likewise we are talking about tourists. Nobody goes to Washington. Tourists come to New York. If something happens to the documents here, where is the help? ?” Barborak explained.
A total of seven such emergencies occurred in New York last year, and temporary travel documents can also be issued by honorary consuls. They are also trying to direct people to use the state’s electronic services.
“We also give ID card readers to people with their ID card so that it’s not difficult for them to start using it, to encourage its use,” Prikk said.
According to the ambassador, community members could also offer ideas on how to increase the use of electronic services among Estonians abroad.
2023-12-29 05:00:00
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