Icelandic president to make state visit to Estonia

Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir and her husband, Björn Skúlason, will make a state visit to Estonia next week, mbl.is reports. The visit is hosted by Estonian President Alar Karis and his wife, Sirje Karis, and is intended to strengthen ties between Iceland and Estonia.

Logi Már Einarsson, Iceland’s minister of culture, innovation and higher education, will join the presidential delegation. A business delegation led by Íslandsstofa will also travel to Estonia and take part in events with Estonian companies.

Presidents to meet in Tallinn

The Estonian presidential couple will formally welcome their Icelandic guests at Tallinn’s Town Hall Square on the morning of Wednesday, August 19. The presidents will then meet at the presidential palace.

The programme includes a discussion on artificial intelligence around midday, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, President Tómasdóttir will visit Estonia’s parliament building in Tallinn and meet its president, Lauri Hussar. The day will end with a formal dinner at the cultural centre in Laulasmaa.

On Thursday, August 20, which is Estonia’s Restoration of Independence Day, the Icelandic president will attend celebrations marking 35 years since the country’s restoration of independence.

The programme includes a flag ceremony in Kuberneri Garden and a visit to Tallinn TV Tower, which became a symbol of Estonians’ struggle against Soviet troops.

The Icelandic president will also attend a ceremonial session of the Estonian parliament and meet a group of surviving politicians who approved the declaration of independence in 1991. She will deliver an address at the event.

The visit will conclude on Friday, August 21. In the morning, the presidential couple will visit a secondary school that uses innovative teaching methods linked to artificial intelligence. They will also attend a formal ceremony at Iceland Square in Tallinn.