Members of the Estonian Parliament Imre Sooäär, Remo Holsmer, Kalvi Kõva, Jüri Ratas, Annely Akkermann, Indrek Saar, Sven Sester and Kadri Simson met with the members of Maryland congressional offices and the Members of Maryland Estonia Exchange Council at the  Embassy of Estonia on the 5th of March. The Director for International Affairs in Maryland's Office of the Secretary of State and Members of Maryland National Guard also participated in the meeting. The leaders of the Estonian American National Commitee, Joint Baltic American National Committee  and Washington Estonian Society were also present. Close cooperation between Maryland and Estonia started in 1993 with the State Partnership program between Maryland National Guard and Estonian relevant partners. In 2009, the representatives of the state and Maryland and Estonian Harju county signed the Memorandum of Understanding in order to tighten the cooperation in cultural and social affairs. Several cities in Estonia have sister city relationships with cities in Maryland. Estonian Emassy