Egils Levits
Valsts prezidents un Igaunijas parlamenta priekšsēdētāja vietnieks pārrunā abu valstu sadarbību kultūras jomā
During his working visit to Estonia on 10 July 2019, President of Latvia Mr Egils Levits met with Mr Siim Kallas, Vice-President of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu), and discussed cultural cooperation between Latvia and Estonia.

Ms Kadri Simson, a Estonia-nominated European Commissioner, and Mr Indrek Saar, Chairperson of the Social Democratic Party Faction and former Minister of Culture, attended the meeting as well.

At this meeting, the parties paid great attention to cultural cooperation between Estonia and Latvia by noting the Language Award. For several years, this Award recognises outstanding Latvian and Estonian writers and linguists by promoting literary works of local authors and translations in both countries.

The Baltic Culture Foundation, which the Baltic States have just created jointly, was also much appreciated. This year, the first grants for projects that will promote Baltic culture in the world will be awarded. Mr Indrek Saar noted that the idea of ​​the Baltic Culture Foundation continued the excellent cultural co-operation of all three Baltic States on the centenary of the countries, when the internationally created Baltic cultural projects were widely presented in the world and gained great recognition.

The Estonians shared to President of Latvia Mr Egils Levits how the competition between the two candidates - Narva and Tartu - was progressing for the status of the European Capital of Culture in Estonia in 2024. The international jury will announce its decision in October.

President of Latvia Mr Egils Levits and Siim Kallas drew attention to the future of the European Union. They discussed latest developments in the European Commission and the European Parliament. The President of Latvia asked the Estonian nominee for the post of the European Commissioner in the new European Commission about her vision of the European Commission’s perspective.