Riga - Estonia will join Sweden in the virtual world of Second Life when it becomes the second country to have its own embassy there, website postimees.ee reported on Wednesday. The Foreign Ministry of this small Baltic country plans to open a diplomatic mission in Second Life on November 11.
"Second Life is a fast-developing virtual reality where we saw an opportunity to represent Estonia," said Marten Kokk, vice chancellor of the ministry.
An EU and NATO member since 2004, Estonia has developed itself into a technologically-savvy post-Soviet country. The nation of 1.3 million residents allowed citizens to vote electronically in local elections in 2005 and in parliamentary elections earlier this year.
The government plans to spend at least 6,400 euros (8,700 dollars) on the Second Life embassy and its staff will undergo training how to represent the country in the virtual world. The government purchased an island in Second Life where users are not yet allowed.
"We considered the possibility of offering electronic services there, however we have decided to postpone that project. The embassy's function will be similar that of a portal. It will provide information about Estonia," Kokk told the website.
The virtual embassy also plans to host press conferences, concerts, and exhibitions.
Earlier this year, Sweden became the first country in the world to open a virtual diplomatic mission in Second Life, an online virtual world with more than 9 million users.
