Estonian Ambassador Visiting Portland for Opening of Honorary Consulate

April 19 event hosted by Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson, law firm of Scott Schul, newly appointed Honorary Consul to Estonia

PORTLAND, Maine - The Estonian ambassador to the U.S. will visit Portland on April 19 for the opening of New England's first Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Estonia, to be located at the law firm of Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson.

The visit by Ambassador Sven JŸrgenson follows the recent appointment of Scott E. Schul, a Bernstein, Shur lawyer, as the Honorary Consul to Estonia, a move intended to help create and strengthen economic and cultural ties between the vibrant Baltic nation and New England. Schul's consular territory covers Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island.

The April 19 proceedings are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at the offices of Bernstein, Shur, located at 100 Middle Street in Portland, and will include a performance by several members of the Washington D.C.-based Estonian folk dance group, Pillerkaar. The Estonian consulate in Portland is just the sixth in North America. Other locations include New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Toronto.

Ambassador JŸrgenson has represented Estonia in the United States since January 2000. Prior to that, he served as Estonia's representative to the United Nations.

[Editors/Reporters: Ambassador JŸrgenson is available for interviews throughout the day on April 19. Please contact Scott Schul, 774-1200, or Jason Wolfe, 775-5115, to arrange.]

"The Republic of Estonia clearly sees that economic opportunities exist between their country and Maine and New England, and I share that optimism," said Schul, who has visited Estonia a number of times and envisions Maine companies teaming with counterparts in Estonia to access the lucrative markets in Europe and opportunities in Russia.

Schul will focus his efforts on the creation and enhancement of economic and cultural relations. He also will perform traditional consular functions, including legalizing documents, issuing certificates of return and providing consular protection to Estonian citizens and businesses. Estonia is located in Northern Europe, bordered on the south by Latvia, the east by Russia and on the north by the Baltic Sea and Finland. With its deep-water port and central location, Estonia is considered a gateway to Europe and Russia.

Schul, who is chair of Bernstein, Shur's Tax and Estate Planning Practice Group, also is a member of the firm's growing International Law and Trade Practice Group. Attorneys advise Maine companies on doing business overseas and assist foreign nationals in the purchase and development of businesses in the U.S. The firm's web site, www.mainelaw.com, is translated into six languages.

Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson is one of northern New England's largest law firms, with more than 70 attorneys in offices in Portland and Augusta. The firm provides legal services in all major subject areas, including corporate and commercial law, litigation and trials, municipal and governmental affairs, and tax and estate planning.
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