Raul Mälk

Raul Mälk ( born May 14, 1952 in Pärnu ) is an Estonian diplomat. He was from 1998 to 1999 Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia. Since 2007 he is the Estonian Ambassador to the EU.

Early years

Raul Mälk studied until 1975 Business Mathematics at the University of Tartu. From 1975 to 1977 he was a research associate at the Economic Institute of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. 1983 to 1985 he studied at the Higher Party School of Leningrad. Until 1990 he was a member of the CPSU. Raul Mälk was in the 1980 employees in the newsroom of Eesti Raadio. From 1990, he was one of the Chairman of the Supreme Council in Estonia, Arnold Rüütel closest associates.

Diplomacy

After regaining of Estonian independence was Mälk diplomat in the Foreign Service of Estonia. 1992/93 he was Speaker of the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, 1993/94 Head office in the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1994-1996 Deputy secretary of state and ambassador to London from 1996 to 1998. From October 1998 to March 1999 was Raul Mälk Foreign Minister of the Republic of Estonia. From 1999 to 2001 he was again Estonian Ambassador to the United Kingdom. After that, he held other senior posts in the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as head of the Policy Planning Staff. Between 1996 and 2003 Mälk was also Estonian Ambassador to Ireland.

Raul Mälk is considered one of the most influential experts and designers of Estonian foreign policy. He was one of the pioneers of the accession of Estonia to the European Union and NATO and has made a name as a Russia expert. In numerous publications, radio and television broadcasts, he has contributed significantly to the formation of opinion on foreign policy issues.