Today, on July 23, 2000, the first Small Countries Prize was awarded to President Lennart Meri on a festive ceremony at the Salzburg Residence. Among others, also the Austrian President Thomas Klestil, who gave a festive address, and the Prince of Liechtenstein Hans Adam II participated in the ceremony.

The laudatio on behalf of the Institute's Council was held by Austria's former Deputy Federal Chancellor Erhard Busek, now the Enlargement Commissioner of the European Union. Uniting Europe and globalisation call for efficient co-operation between states in the name of peace and welfare, and small countries as the providers of cultural diversity and international balance have their tasks to fulfil here, the European Institute explained the foundation of the prize. ''Dr. Herbert Batliner's European Prize for Services to Small Countries'' is awarded to a person who has ''outstanding services concordant with the spirit of Europe in politics, culture or economy of a small country''. The scientific council of the European Institute decided at their meeting last November to nominate the Estonian President Lennart Meri the first laureate.

The ceremony was followed by lunch where three heads of state participated.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, July 23, 2000

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