King and Queen of Spain Baltic Tour: Day Two – Latvia

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia are visiting Latvia, the second stop on their Baltic tour. Their Majesties arrived at its capital, Riga, yesterday afternoon. Never before has a Spanish Head of State visited this country.

The King and Queen were welcomed by the President of Latvia, Valdis Zatlers, and his wife, Lilita Zatlere, at Riga Castle. In order to mark their state visit King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia signed the Presidential guest book.

Mr. Zatlers and King Juan Carlos had a meeting to discuss bilateral relations between Latvia and Spain, and also they talked about the upcoming opening of the new Cervantes Institute in Riga. Afterward the King and the President visited the Freedom Monument to lay flowers. In the evening The President of Latvia and Mrs. Zatlere hosted a state banquet in honor of their Majesties. The President dedicated a few warm words in Spanish to the King and Queen, “Your majesties: On this spring day, it is a great honor and true joy for me to welcome King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of the Kingdom of Spain during their first state visit to Latvia in the history of our diplomatic relations. Your majesty, I very much welcome the confirmation which you and Queen Sofia have demonstrated in terms of the good relationship and flourishing dialogue that exist between our two countries.”

Today, May 5 early in the morning, their Majesties visited the Latvian Parliament and met with its President, Solvita Āboltiņa. Later on, accompanied by the President of Latvia and his wife the King and Queen visited the Occupation Museum, which was established in 1993 by the Occupation Museum Association. The Museum provides information about Latvia and its people under two occupying totalitarian regimes from 1940 to 1991.

The Queen and Mrs. Zatlere visited Riga’s Town Hall, the Dome Cathedral and the Strazdumuiža Boarding School. Meanwhile the President and the King participated in the official opening of “Latvenergo” TEC2.
The State Visit concluded with a lunch hosted by the Prime Minister, Valdis Dombrovskis for the King and Queen in the Latvian National Opera.
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia will travel to Lithuania this afternoon.

For more information and Photos visit this thread.

Filed under Spain
Tagged Bilateral Relations, Juan Carlos I of Spain, Latvia, President Zatlers of Latvia, Queen Sofia of Spain, State Visit.

One Response to King and Queen of Spain Baltic Tour: Day Two – Latvia

1. Pingback: The Royal Forums » May 2009 Newsletter: The 1930s