President Lennart Meri and Mrs. Helle Meri shall leave for a working visit to Finland on June 3, 1999. Tomorrow, the Pro Baltica Forum consisting of the Finnish public figures, proprietors and diplomats residing in Finland will host a lunch in honour of President Meri. In the evening, the Estonian President will fly to Rovaniemi, as the University of Lapland situated in this city has elected President Meri Honorary Doctor of education.

The conferment ceremony of the degrees to the thirteen newly elected Masters, Doctors and Honorary Doctors will start at Friday noon in the Lappia House of Rovaniemi. The ceremony shall be followed by a service in the Rovaniemi church and a festive dinner, where the Estonian President Lennart Meri will deliver a speech in the name of all the new Honorary Doctors.

This year, the University of Lapland celebrates its 20th anniversary. President Meri was elected Honorary Doctor for his work of considerable historical impact as a national and international educator and scholar of the culture of the peoples of the North.

On his way back from Rovaniemi, President Meri will have a meeting with the Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari on June 6, 1999. The Estonian President will be back in Tallinn on Monday, June 7.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, June 2, 1999

back | archive of press releases | main page