In August 1991 the European Community recognised the Republic of Estonia after it had regained its independence. The following year the European Commission accredited the Estonian Ambassador in Brussels. The European Commission officially opened its Delegation in Tallinn in 1996.

Relationships between the Republic of Estonia and the European Communities are regulated by the following agreements:

       Europe Agreement, i.e. the association agreement between the European Communities and its member states and the Republic of Estonia, which was concluded on 12 June 1995 and entered into force on 1 February 1998.

       Free trade agreement is incorporated into the Europe Agreement (concluded on 18 July 1994, entered into force on 1 January 1995).

These agreements provide a basis for regular discussions on specific issues, high-level meetings of senior officials, and the implementation of pre-accession assistance. They also function as an umbrella for Estonia's preparations for EU membership.

Estonia submitted its application to accede to the EU in November 1995 and started negotiations in March 1998. These were concluded at Copenhagen in December 2002. More information on the negotiations can be found here.

The draft Accession Treaty was approved by the Estonian Government on 8 April 2002. President Arnold Rüütel and Foreign Minister Kristiina Ojuland participated in the signing of the Treaty in Athens on 16 April 2002.

A referendum on Estonia’s entry into the EU was held on 14 September 2003. The ballot carried first of all the text of the new “Third Act” to the Constitution, establishing legal basis for accession. It was followed by the question: "Do you support accession to the European Union and adoption of a law of amendments to the constitution of the Republic of Estonia?" and two answers: "Yes" and "No." 66.84% of the voters supported EU accession. Turnout was 64.02% The Parliament now needs to ratify the Accession Treaty by simple majority.