Karin Jaani sparkled with a dynamic spirit and practical wisdom. A trailblazer in Estonia’s political scene, she was a key figure in the nation’s first delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1993 to 1995 and became Estonia’s first Ambassador to the Council of Europe in 1995. Her arrival in Strasbourg coincided with the critical accession of Ukraine and Russia. With remarkable acumen, she ascended to the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers just six months into her diplomatic tenure, setting also a precedent as the first female Chair from the new member states.
With a flair for leadership, she was instrumental in advancing the Committee of Ministers' monitoring processes and played a pivotal role in weaving the South Caucasus nations — Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan— into the Council of Europe’s legal framework. Her tenure set the stage for the 2nd Summit of Heads of States and Governments in 1997, marking milestones in the abolition of the death penalty and championing gender parity across Europe.
Karin’s ambassadorial duties continued with postings in Russia, Montenegro, and Belgium, where her vibrant life met an untimely end in 2009. Yet, her passion for life and the arts continues through her enduring contribution to the Council of Europe of the “Estonia” piano, a symbol of her aspiration for the Palais de l’Europe to resonate with cultural richness, transcending the confines of political discourse.
The project “75 women in 75 years of Council of Europe history” is organised by the Delegation of the European Union to the Council of Europe with the Council of Europe and the Permanent Representations of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
