On 30 September 2020, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgars Rinkēvičs, will meet with the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Urmas Reinsalu, who is coming to Latvia for an official visit. The Ministers will discuss bilateral relations between Latvia and Estonia and regional cooperation, as well as developments in Belarus.
During the visit, in an official ceremony, the two Ministers will present the annual Joint Award for the Promotion of Latvian and Estonian Languages (The Languages Award) bestowed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Estonia. The award is being presented for the 11th time. The aim of the Languages Award is to strengthen cooperation between the two countries through the promotion of the learning and use of Latvian and Estonian, encouraging the efforts of Latvian-Estonian and Estonian-Latvian translators in translating literary, political, scientific and other texts, as well as in recognition of the contribution of researchers and teachers of Latvian and Estonian toward promoting the Latvian language in Estonia and the Estonian language in Latvia. The winner is awarded €3000, contributed equally by both ministries.
As part of his official visit, the Estonian Foreign Minister will meet with the President of Latvia, Egils Levits; the Speaker of the Saeima (Latvian Parliament), Ināra Mūrniece; and the Chair of the Saeima European Affairs Committee, Vita Anda Tērauda. Urmas Reinsalu will also have a tour of the former KGB headquarters building (Stūra māja), now part of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, as well as visiting the Livonian Institute of the University of Latvia.
Events for the media!
- at Riga Castle:
14:00-14:30– a meeting with the President of Latvia, Egils Levits (Riga Castle, Pils laukums 3). Photo and video opportunity at the beginning of the meeting
Members of the media who are not accredited for covering events at Riga Castle are invited to apply before 13:00 on 30 September at e-mail prese@president.lv
- at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
15:20 – Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs welcomes the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas Reinsalu (the Ministry lobby). Photo & Video opportunity.
- at the Freedom Monument:
16:15-16:25– a flower-laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument. Photo and video opportunity.
- The Rainis and Aspazija’s Summer House:
17:00– The award-giving ceremony (Rainis and Aspazija’s Summer House, Jūrmala, Jāņa Pliekšāna iela 5/7). Photo and video opportunity.
Special accreditation is required to attend the events at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Freedom Monument and at the Summer House of Rainis and Aspazija. Members of the media accredited with Latvian agencies and institutions are asked to register their participation not later than 9:00 on 30 September by contacting the Media Centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at e-mail: media@mfa.gov.lv. Media representatives are requested to plan their arrival not later than 30 minutes before each event.