In the afternoon of May 24, President Lennart Meri and Mrs. Helle Meri will go on a work visit to Finland. The historical University of Turku has elected the head of state of Estonia the honorary doctor of its Faculty of Philosophy. Mayor of Turku Armas Lahoniitty will receive the honorary doctors of the University of Turku in the evening of May 24.

In the morning of May 25, the President of the Republic will deliver his lecture ''The Role of Small States in the European Union'' in the University of Turku.

The conferment ceremony will take place at noon on May 26 in Turku Concert Hall. After the end of the ceremony, the academic procession will attend a service in the Turku Dome Church where a sermon will be delivered by Archbishop Jukka Paarma. The Archbishop of All Finland and Karelia Johannes will also attend the service. In the evening, the University of Turku will offer a dinner to the new honorary doctors where several academic speeches will be delivered.

The conferment ceremonies will end on Saturday in Naantali. The President will arrive back to Tallinn in the evening of May 27.


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

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