On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way, Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš has invited Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister of Estonia, and Saulius Skvernelis, Prime Minister of Lithuania, to visit Latvia on 23 August. The officials will hold a meeting, as well as attend celebration events.
The informal meeting in Riga of the three Baltic prime ministers is also taking place in the framework of the Baltic Council of Ministers, as Latvia holds the presidency in the forum this year.
The events of 23 August 1989 known as the Baltic Way were the decisive contribution of Baltic civic society in its non-violent, unwavering effort to restore independence and return to Europe. To a certain extent, it was the first step triggering the domino effect that resulted in the collapse of the totalitarian regime in Eastern Europe, the first step towards the restoration of Latvia’s independence. To honour this event, Prime Minister Kariņš has invited his counterparts from the two neighbouring countries to join him in the celebrations in Riga.
Prime Minister Kariņš will host the two officials at the Cabinet of Ministers on 23 August. Afterwards, the three prime ministers will visit the Saeima and meet with Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, as well as the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly, lay flowers at the Freedom Monument, view photo exhibition The Baltic Way 1989. A Tribute to the 30th Anniversary of the Manifestation, as well as hold a working lunch and press conference.
The meeting of the prime ministers of the Baltic Council of Ministers will continue with an informal session with the officials attending a celebratory soiree in honour of the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way featuring a musical performance by chamber orchestra Kremerata Baltica and essay readings by Latvian writer Māris Bērziņš, Estonian poet Hasso Krull and Lithuanian poet Vladas Braziūnas.
Agenda of the planned visit
| 9:15 |
PM Kariņš welcomes Estonian PM Ratas and Lithuanian PM Skvernelis in his office – official greeting, family photo, brief meeting (Lobby of the Cabinet of Ministers). Media: photo, video opportunity. Media must arrive by 8:45. |
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10:00 |
Arrival of Baltic PMs at the Saeima; meeting with Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, the Presidium of the Saeima and the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly. Official photo planned. Media: photo, video opportunity in the Voting Hall of the Saeima. . Media must arrive by 9:40. |
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11:00 -11:35 |
Official flower laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument in honour of the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way. The ceremony will be attended by the highest officials of Latvia, including Egils Levits, President of Latvia, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, members of the Presidium of the Saeima and other members of parliament, Krišjānis Kariņš, Prime Minister of Latvia, the prime ministers of Estonia and Lithuania, members of the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia, representatives of the Baltic Assembly and other interparliamentary cooperation organisations, members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Latvia, invited guests and representatives of society. Following the flower laying ceremony, the Baltic PMs will view photo exhibition The Baltic Way 1989. A Tribute to the 30th Anniversary of the Manifestation in Freedom Square (Brīvības laukums). Media: photo, video opportunity. Media must arrive at the Freedom Monument (at the location for the orchestra, by the historical truck trailer) by 10:30.
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12:30 |
Working lunch of PM Kariņš, Estonian PM Ratas and Lithuanian PM Skvernelis at Culture Palace Ziemeļblāzma (Ziemeļblāzmas iela 36). |
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14:00-14:30 |
Joint press conference of PM Kariņš, Estonian PM Ratas and Lithuanian PM Skvernelis Culture Palace Ziemeļblāzma (Ziemeļblāzmas iela 36). Media: photo, video opportunity, participation in press conference. Media must arrive at the Chamber Hall of Culture Palace Ziemeļblāzma (Ziemeļblāzmas iela 36) (ground floor) by 13:30. |
| 15:00 |
Celebratory soiree in honour of the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way. Musical performance by chamber orchestra Kremerata Baltica, as well as author essay readings by Latvian writer Māris Bērziņš, Estonian poet Hasso Krull and Lithuanian poet Vladas Braziūnas. (Banquet Hall of Culture Palace Ziemeļblāzma). Media: photo, video opportunity (in accordance to organisers’ restrictions on movement so as not to obstruct the concert). The media is responsible for respecting copyright in case of reporting about the concert and readings. Media must arrive in the media area in the Banquet Hall by 14:40. |
Attendance to the events (even for media accredited to the Cabinet of Ministers and the Saeima) must be notified in advance – by 12:00 on 19 August, by submitting an online application, indicating the attendee’s name, surname, personal ID number and media outlet represented, as well as which events the person plans to attend.
Upon arrival at the event, please be ready to present a personal identification document – passport or national ID card, as well as your media ID card. Please be informed that your data will be processed for the purposes of the specific event. Data storage period – until the end of the event on 23 August.
The Baltic Council of Ministers is an institution of trilateral intergovernmental cooperation of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. It was established on 13 June 1994. This year Latvia is the presiding country, and the institution is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Ms. Sabīne Spurķe
Press Secretary to Cabinet of Ministers
Phone +371 67082919
E-mail: Sabine.Spurke@mk.gov.lv