President Lennart Meri visited the Rectory of Valjala at Saaremaa yesterday with Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, the former Foreign Minister of Denmark; they met Gustav Kutsar, the minister of the St. Martin's congregation of Valjala, and Kaido Kaasik, who is the chairman of the board of the congregation. Gustav Kutsar and Kaido Kaasik spoke in detail of the history of the building of the church to the Head of State and his guest Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, the former Foreign Minister of Denmark. The President was also offered eel soup at the rectory.

The President was invited to Valjala by Gustav Kutsar on the President's reception to the best university graduates in Kadriorg at June 21, where the minister was present as a graduate of the Institute of Theology of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church. Gustav Kutsar is also the Chairman of the Valjala Government Council and Kaido Kaasik is the rural municipality mayor of Valjala, and also the general welfare of the Valjala rural municipality was discussed on the meeting with the President.

Today the President also visited Undva in the north-western part of Saaremaa, which is one of the potential sites for the deep sea port. In the afternoon, the President and his delegation were at Kuressaare, and made a tour in the city and in the bishop's castle.

President Lennart Meri also visited the joint stock company ''Saare paat'' at Nasva, where the yacht ''Lennuk'', sailing around the world under the Estonian flag, had been built. President of the Republic is the patron of this trip around the world. Also the construction of a Viking ship and other shipbuilding activities were demonstrated to the President.

President Lennart Meri yesterday first visited Muhumaa and the Pädaste estate, and then travelled on to Saaremaa, where he had a meeting with Heinrich von Pierer, Director General of Siemens AG, in the evening of July 3. The President will return from Saaremaa this evening.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, July 5, 2000

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