The President of Israel, Mr. Moshe Katsav, is leaving on Monday, 19 September 2005, for state visits to the Baltic countries – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and will return on Thursday, 22 September 2005/

This is the first state visit of a President of Israel to these countries which have recently joined the European Union and therein lies the importance of the visit which is meant to strengthen the relations between the State of Israel and European countries. The President and his delegation will commence their state visit in Estonia (19 September), on the invitation of the President of Estonia, Mr. Arnold Ruutel. During the visit President Katsav will hold work meetings with the President of Estonia, with the Speaker of the Parliament and with the acting Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. The President will continue his visit to Latvia (20 September), on the invitation of the President of Latvia, Mrs. Vaira Vike-Freiberga. During the visit President Katsav will hold work meetings with the President of Latvia, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Parliament. The President will end his visit in Lithuania (21 September), on the invitation of the President of Lithuania, Mr. Valdas Adamkus. During the visit, President Katsav will hold work meetings with the President of Lithuania, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Parliament. The President will meet with the local Jewish communities in the three countries and will also participate, together with the Presidents of the countries, in memorial events for the victims of the Holocaust. BPI-info