The Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and Mrs. Alma Adamkiene, who were invited to a two-day state visit to Estonia by President Meri, flew to Tõruvere and Alatskivi on board the Border Guard helicopter yesterday morning. President Meri and Tarmo Kõuts, Head of the Border Guard Administration, showed the Lithuanian President the radar and the command station of the Border Guard, from where Estonia's eastern border – which is to become the eastern border of the European Union after Estonia’s accession to the EU – is being surveyed. President Adamkus was deeply impressed by the border surveillance system and praised Estonia’s achievements.

The second day of the state visit continued in Tartu, where Andrus Ansip, the Mayor of Tartu, welcomed the Lithuanian guests in the Tartu Town Hall. Tartu as the spiritual capital of Estonia was discussed, and the Mayor thanked Lithuania for the support to opening the Baltic Defence College in Tartu. President Adamkus and Mrs. Adamkiene wrote to the Guestbook of the Tartu Town Hall. The Mayor of Tartu presented to the guests the album of Eduard Wiiralt, an artist who both studied and taught in Tartu.

In the Tartu University Assembly Hall the guests were received by Jaak Aaviksoo, the Rector of Tartu University, who showed them round the University. According to the Lithuanian President, Tartu University has been important for Lithuania in the past and continues to be so in the present, as many Lithuanians who fought for their country's independence have studied there.

The Estonian President spoke of the renovation of St. John's Church to the Lithuanian President and his wife. A visit was paid also to the Tartu University History Museum on Toome Hill. The mayor of Tartu and the Rector of Tartu University hosted a dinner in honour of the Heads of State and their spouses. After the walk on Toome Hill, the presidential couples visited the Baltic Defence College, where the College's Commander Michael Clemmesen showed them the College, and the Lithuanian officers studying at the college spoke of their studies to the Lithuanian delegation, while the Estonian officers talked to the Estonian delegation.

The Presidents and their spouses took a stroll in Tartu, met the scientists and cultural figures of Tartu in the Café Wilde, and flew back to Tallinn in helicopter. The official farewell ceremony took place in the Tallinn Airport.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, October 6, 1999

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