Education and Science, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Latvia

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During their meeting, the Ministers discussed the issues of bilateral relations, reviewed security policy and the results of the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council. Edgars Rinkevics thanked for the contribution of the Estonian seconded expert, Toomas Tirs, who helped coordinate logistics matters during the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council. Latvia is ready to share its experience and expertise with Estonia to enable a successful first Estonian presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2018, said the Minister. The Foreign Ministers also devoted attention to security environment in the region and in Ukraine.

This year, the Translators Award by both Foreign Ministries is being presented for the sixth time, and it went to Estonian poet and translator, Margus Konnula, under the pen name of Contra, who has translated into Estonian a selection of poems by Eduards Veidenbaums. The prize has previously been awarded to translators Maima Grinberga, Guntars Godins and Kalev Kalkun. The competition rules envisage that the prize-giving ceremony takes place alternately in Latvia and Estonia. The monetary value of the award is 3 000 euros, to which both the Foreign Ministries contribute equally.

During the visit, the Ministers gave a joint statement on expanding the framework and scope of nominees for the Translators’ Award and signed a new set of regulations on the awarding of the prize. From now on, the Foreign Ministries’ prize will be called the Joint Award for the Promotion of the Latvian and Estonian Languages, and not only translators, but also Latvian language teachers in Estonia and the Estonian language teachers in Latvia and linguistic researchers can be nominated for their contribution to the promotion of the neighbouring country’s language. Edgars Rinkevics said he was certain that the new stage in the history of the award will open new avenues for promoting Latvian and Estonian languages and literature in both countries.