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State visit to Latvia in its centenary year
In 2018, Latvia celebrates the centenary of its independence. On 14 May, President Raimonds Vējonis welcomes Alain Berset with honours at Riga Castle. The talks cover the economy, where potential remains untapped, vocational training and research: more than 40 joint projects in “Horizon 2020”. Alain Berset sets out the state of negotiations with the EU and the possible second Swiss contribution. Russia, Ukraine and transatlantic relations are also discussed. In June, Latvia takes over the chairmanship of the Nuclear Suppliers Group from Switzerland.
The visit recalls an old link. The Latvian national poets Rainis and Aspazija lived in exile in Ticino; their exhibition rooms in Castagnola reopen for the centenary, with the support of Lugano. Switzerland had opened a consulate in Riga as early as 1868.
At the National Library, Alain Berset presents “L’homme et le temps en Suisse, 1291-1991”, a history of watchmaking. The lesson he draws from it: “this excellence came largely from immigrants”.
Sunday 13 May 2018 — Riga
- Literary tour of the Old Town
- Visit to the RIXC Centre for New Media Culture
Monday 14 May 2018 — Riga
- Official welcome ceremony at Riga Castle by President Raimonds Vējonis
- Guest book, one-to-one meeting, then official talks between the delegations
- Joint press conference
- Wreath-laying at the Freedom Monument
- Official lunch at Riga Castle
- Book presentation ceremony at the National Library of Latvia, visit to the library
- Visit to the National History Museum
- Discussion on the security architecture with representatives of Latvian think tanks
- Interview with the Latvian press
Speeches on this site
- Point de presse avec le président letton Raimonds Vējonis (French-language page)
- Toast lors de la visite présidentielle en Lettonie (French-language page)
- Don d’un ouvrage à la Bibliothèque nationale de Lettonie (French-language page)
Sources