On 13 October, President Edgars Rinkēvičs will welcome the newly elected President of the Republic of Estonia Ülle Madise on a working visit to the Republic of Latvia. The introductory visit to Latvia will be her first foreign visit as President.
During the talks at Riga Castle, the two sides are set to discuss strengthening bilateral relations between Latvia and Estonia, particularly cooperation in the economic and defence industries. Discussions are also expected to cover security and defence cooperation amongst the Baltic states and broader region, including strengthening NATO’s eastern flank and countering hybrid threats, as well as military, political and economic support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
President Madise is also scheduled to meet with Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa and Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs.
Ülle Madise was elected President of Estonia by the Estonian Parliament on 2 September and took office on 12 October.
Note for the media!
Media representatives are invited to apply for accreditation to cover the visit no later than 12:00 on 13 October by completing the application form prepared by the Chancery of the President of Latvia for each person to be accredited or via email prese@president.lv.
When attending the events listed in the media programme, media representatives are requested to observe formal dress code. A valid identity document – passport or ID card – must be presented upon arrival.
Media programme, 13 October
15.30 - Official welcoming ceremony for President of Estonia Ülle Madise at the Riga Castle
Media opportunities: photo/video.
Media arrival by 15.00.
Venue: Castle Square.
15.40 - Official photo of President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs and President of Estonia Ülle Madise, signing of Guest Book
Media opportunities: photo/video.
Media arrival by 15.00.
Venue: Riga Castle.
15.55 - Talks between the Latvian and Estonian delegations
Media opportunities: photo/video at the beginning of the meeting.
Media arrival by 15.25.
Venue: Riga Castle.
16.40 - Joint press conference of President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs and President of Estonia Ülle Madise
Media opportunities: photo/video/questions. Press conference will be livestreamed on Presidential Chancery webpage www.president.lv. Press conference working languages: Latvian, Estonian.
Media arrival by 16.10.
Venue: Riga Castle.
17.15 - Meeting between the President of Estonia Ülle Madise and Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa
Media opportunities: photo/video at the beginning of the meeting.
Media arrival by 16.55.
Venue: Saeima.
17.55 - Meeting between the President of Estonia Ülle Madise and Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs
Media opportunities: photo/video – official photo during the welcome ceremony and at the beginning of the meeting.
Media arrival by 17.30.
Venue: Cabinet of Ministers.