Icelandic president to visit Estonia for independence anniversary

ERR reports that Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir and her husband, Björn Skúlason, will make a state visit to Estonia from August 19 to 21 at the invitation of Estonian President Alar Karis.

During the visit, Tómasdóttir will meet Karis, Parliament Speaker Lauri Hussar and Prime Minister Kristen Michal, and attend events marking the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Estonia’s independence.

The Office of the President said the visit would confirm the close friendship between Estonia and Iceland and strengthen cooperation in business, innovation, education and culture.

Discussions will focus on bilateral relations, including economic, educational and cultural cooperation, as well as regional security, Iceland’s relations with the European Union, continued support for Ukraine and transatlantic relations.

The visit will begin on Wednesday, August 19, with a welcome ceremony at Tallinn Town Hall Square. Tómasdóttir will meet the Estonian president, parliamentary speaker and prime minister, and attend the Estonia-Iceland Business Forum with Karis to discuss opportunities for economic and innovation cooperation.

She will also visit cyber exercise areas and the CR14 cyber defence competence centre, and lay a wreath at the foot of the War of Independence Victory Column. Karis and his wife, Sirje Karis, will host a state dinner for the Icelandic presidential couple at the Arvo Pärt Centre.

Sirje Karis and Skúlason will visit the Centre of Food and Fermentation Technologies, where they will be introduced to developments in food and biotechnology. They will also visit the Niguliste Museum and its historic church tower, as well as Anni Arro’s studio.

On Thursday, August 20, the presidential couples will attend a ceremonial flag-raising on Toompea marking the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Estonia’s independence. Karis and Tómasdóttir will speak at a ceremonial session of Parliament and the 20 August Club.

The Estonian presidential couple will host their Icelandic counterparts at a reception in the Rose Garden. The presidents will also visit the Maarjamäe Memorial to the Victims of Communism, Tallinn TV Tower, HK Unicorn Squad and the Kuri Kotkas drone programme.

The two presidents will greet people at a family day at Tallinn Song Festival Grounds marking the anniversary of the restoration of independence.

On Friday, Tómasdóttir and Skúlason will visit Pelgulinna State Gymnasium in Tallinn and receive an overview of the TI-Hüpe education innovation programme.

The state visit will end with a departure ceremony at Islandi väljak, or Iceland Square, a symbolic location named in recognition of Iceland being the first country to acknowledge Estonia’s restored independence.