State visits to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania

Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima* will pay state visits to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania consecutively from Monday 11 to Friday 15 June 2018. Their tour will start on 11 June in the Republic of Latvia, where they will be the guests of President Raimonds Vējonis until the morning of 12 June. In the afternoon of 12 June and on 13 June President Kersti Kaljulaid will host the royal couple on their state visit to the Republic of Estonia. The third state visit will be to the Republic of Lithuania at the invitation of Dalia Grybauskaitė and will take place on the evening of 13 June and on 15 June. Foreign minister Stef Blok will accompany the King and Queen on all three state visits.

The visits underscore the long history and close bilateral ties that the Netherlands shares with each of the three countries. These go back to the 14th century, with trade reaching a peak in the 17th century. Today, the Netherlands enjoys a strong partnership for peace, security and prosperity with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, especially within the European Union and NATO.

This year Latvia and Estonia are celebrating 100 years of independence, while Lithuania is celebrating 100 years of restored independence. The state visits will touch on these celebrations and pay tribute to the importance the three countries attach to their independent statehood. On 14 June, the beginning of the mass deportations of Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian citizens to Siberia during the Soviet occupation will be commemorated in each of the three countries. King Willem-Alexander’s and Queen Máxima’s state visit will be suspended on this day and resume on 15 June.

In addition to these common topics, the state visits will address specific themes in the Netherlands’ bilateral relations with each country. In Latvia, for instance, the focus will be on transport and logistics, including smart mobility. In Estonia, the state visit will spotlight cybersecurity, digital government and digital innovation in agriculture, while in Lithuania the accent will be on military cooperation and bilateral cooperation in the field of energy. In each country a separate economic programme will take place alongside the official programme, to explore the potential for strengthening economic cooperation.

* Following the death of her sister Inés Zorreguieta, Queen Máxima will not be accompanying King Willem-Alexander on the state visits to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.