Other events in Baltic States

On 22 April, the Foreign Minister of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, had a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Marina Kaljurand.

In their conversation, Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed his appreciation for the excellent relations between both countries and intensive dialogue in politics, culture and education, direct evidence to which is also the Joint Award for Promotion of the Latvian and Estonian Languages established by the Foreign Ministries of both countries (Languages Award).

The Ministers exchanged views on current security policy issues and preparations for the NATO Summit. Both Ministers voiced strong support for the permanent presence of NATO forces in the region. Special focus was put on the Eastern Partnership and the need for all parties involved in the process to meet their commitments.

After the meeting, Edgars Rinkēvičs and Marina Kaljurand took part in an official ceremony for the presentation of the Languages Award by the Latvian and Estonian Foreign Ministries to Valts Ernštreits for his contribution to research in the Estonian and the Liv languages, high quality translations and contribution to compiling the Estonian-Latvian Dictionary published in 2015.

Edgars Rinkēvičs noted that the Estonian-Latvian Dictionary will help not only university students, future translators, teachers and researchers, but also broader audiences to turn a new page in their quest into the Latvian and Estonian cultures and languages.

Speaking at the event, the Ministers commended all this year’s nominees – Maima Grīnberga, Guntars Godiņš, and Kerttu Kibbermann – for their input to the promotion of the Latvian and Estonian language and literature.

Ieva Ilves, the spouse of the Estonian President, was also taking part in the award-giving ceremony and thanked, on behalf of the President of Estonia, the winner of the prize for the work he has accomplished, as well as encouraging to uphold the tradition.

In accordance with the Regulations of the contest, the hosting of the award-giving ceremony alternates each year between Latvia and Estonia. This is the seventh time that both Foreign Ministries are presenting their award, and on earlier occasions it has been granted to Maima Grīnberga, Guntars Godiņš, Kalev Kalkun, and Margus Konnula, known also by his pen name of “Contra”. The monetary value of the Award is 3,000 euros, and the Award Fund receives equal contributions from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Estonia.

During her visit, the Estonian Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand took part in the Fourth Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Nordic-Baltic and Visegrad Group Countries held in Jūrmala on 21-22 April.