‘Bilateral relations between Latvia and France have traditionally been very close and friendly. France was one of the allies that supported Latvia during the War of Independence one hundred years ago, all the way to de jure recognition in 1921, and it continues to actively contribute to the security of the Baltic region in scope of NATO today. That is why it is so important to continue enhancing bilateral relations and dialogue between Latvia and France,’ underlined Andris Teikmanis, Head of the Chancery of the President of Latvia.
President of Latvia Egils Levits and President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron will discuss regional security, including relations with Russia and Belarus, future of the European Union (EU) and European Green Deal. Other topics of the meeting will include the development of democracy and public participation in democratic processes. Presidents of both countries also plan to discuss challenges to public discourse stemming from disinformation and growing influence of social media platforms, and digital transformation.
Visit of the President of France Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron to Latvia will commence with an official welcome ceremony on the Riga Castle square on the first day of the visit, 29 September, followed by joint press conference of Emmanuel Macron and Egils Levits and meeting between delegations of both countries.
On the second day of the visit, 30 September, President of France will meet with the Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, followed by joint press conference. Emmanuel Macron will then visit the Latvian Museum of Occupation and lay flowers at the Freedom Monument in an official ceremony. President of France will take a walk through the Old Riga to the National Library of Latvia where he will take part in a round table discussion on democracy in the digital age. He will be joined by President of Latvia Egils Levits, Jānis Sārts, Director, NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, Ieva Morica, CEO, Open Society Foundation DOTS, Director, Democracy festival LAMPA, Iveta Kažoka, Director, Leading Research Associate, Public Policy Centre PROVIDUS, and Natālija Knipše, Latvia’s UN Youth delegate. President of France Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron will conclude their visit to Latvia by donating a book to the People’s Bookshelf.
Chancery of the President of Latvia has developed special epidemiological safety guidelines for incoming visits of delegations from high Covid-19 risk countries. According to guidelines, visiting officials, Latvian officials and other staff responsible for the visit, including media reporting on the visit, will be required to wear face masks covering nose and mouth, comply with social-distancing requirements, avoid shaking hands and sharing common use items.
NB! Media: Media will need special accreditation to take part in planned media events. You will be requested to present the special press passes upon entering the specific venue. Due to space constraints, some events might be closed to wider media participation. Further information on participation restrictions will be available. To register for media events of the official visit of the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron to Latvia, please send application form to the Chancery of the President of Latvia. Deadline: 18:00, 25 September 2020. Each media representative must register separately. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be processed. You will be required to wear a face mask covering the nose and mouth, and comply with social distancing requirements, during the official media events.
Media events