President Lennart Meri was today conferred an honorary doctor's degree at the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi. President Meri has great merits in Estonia's being included among the first five countries that have been invited to start accession negotiations with the European Union, Martti Jussila stressed in the conferment speech. President Meri received an honorary doctor's degree for his outstanding activities in developing the public opinions in Estonia and in the international community.

The conferment ceremony was followed by a festive procession of the honorary doctors, doctors and masters, as well as of the professors of the University of Lapland and invited guests from other universities. The procession headed to the Rovaniemi church, where the conferment service was held by archbishop emeritus John Vikström. In the evening there will be a dinner for the conferred honorary doctors, doctors, masters and guests.


Press Service of the Office of the Pesident
Kadriorg, June 4, 1999

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