Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs to make three-day state visit to Estonia
From July 1 to 3, at the invitation of Estonian President Alar Karis, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs will visit Estonia to strengthen alliance ties and expand cooperation in security, economy, and education.
At the invitation of Estonian President Alar Karis, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs will pay a three-day state visit to Estonia from July 1 to 3. The visit aims to reaffirm the close allied relations between the two countries and strengthen cooperation in security, defense, cybersecurity, economy, transport and energy infrastructure, as well as education, the Estonian president's press service announced on Tuesday, June 30.
The state visit will begin on July 1 on the island of Ruhnu. There, an official welcome ceremony for the presidents, delegation talks, a joint tree planting at the local school, and a press conference will take place. The heads of state will also learn about the island's history and participate in a folk festival. According to Alar Karis, it is symbolic that the visit begins on Ruhnu. "The Baltic Sea has never been a border between Estonia and Latvia, but has always served as a link. This visit will allow us to find new opportunities for cooperation for the benefit of the people of both countries," the president noted.
During the talks, the leaders will discuss the development of bilateral relations, European security, strengthening NATO's deterrence and defense capabilities, further support for Ukraine, cooperation in cybersecurity and the defense industry, as well as transatlantic relations and Nordic-Baltic cooperation ahead of the NATO summit. On the second day of the visit in Tallinn, Edgars Rinkēvičs will meet with Speaker of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar and Prime Minister Kristen Michal. Accompanying the Latvian president to Estonia will be Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, Economy Minister Viktors Valainis, and a delegation of nearly 40 Latvian business representatives. The program also includes the opening of the Latvian-Estonian Business Forum at the National Library, a wreath-laying at the Victory Monument for the War of Independence on Vabaduse Square in Tallinn, and a state dinner hosted by Alar Karis in honor of his Latvian counterpart at the Rose Garden of the presidential residence.
