King and Queen of Spain Baltic Tour: Last Day – Lithuania

Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain arrived yesterday afternoon at Vilnius, capital of Lithuania, for a two-day State Visit. King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia were officially welcomed by the Lithuanian President, Valdas Adamkus, and the First Lady, Mrs. Alma Adamkienė, at the Presidential Palace.

After the official welcome ceremony, the King and the President had a bilateral meeting where they discussed the European Union, NATO, bilateral cooperation and energy issues. The President declared that the Spanish royal visit “will give a fresh impetus to the development of relations between the two nations and societies.” Meanwhile in the Presidential Palace’s Waiting Room a private meeting between Queen Sofia and Lithuania’s First Lady.

During the meeting in the Presidential Palace there was a gift exchange ceremony. Acording to the press department, the President made the King a gift of three silver medals by Lithuanian artist Petras Repšys, dedicated to the three most important events in Lithuania’s history: the first mention of the name of Lithuania in Europe, the first internationally recognised monarch of Lithuania, and the first book published in Lithuania in the Lithuanian language. Queen Sofia was presented with an amber brooch made by the jeweller Solveiga Krivičienė.

The King of Spain made President Adamkus a gift of facsimiles of twelve paintings and eight prints by Francisco Goya taken from the National Library of Spain, and Mrs. Adamkienė was presented with a pair of crystal jars (copies) from the Royal Factory of Crystal of La Granja.

After the meeting the King and Queen, accompanied by President Adamkus and his wife, went to the Antakalnis Cemetery to honor the memory of Lithuanians who died in the fight for freedom. Later the King met with the Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius.

In the evening the President and his wife hosted a gala dinner in honor of Their Majesties; the toast was broadcast live by the Lithuanian National Television.

Today the King visited Lithuani’s Parliament and met with its Speaker, Seimas Arūnas Valinskas, and representatives of the political parties. King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia also visited the University of Vilnius, where they had a meeting with the Spanish community in Lithuania.

To conclude the state visit, the Presidential Couple hosted a lunch for their Majesties in city of Trakai; beforehand they had the opportunity to watch a short performance by the folklore group “Dolija”. At the beginning of the lunch the President, addressing King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia in Spanish, declared: “By visiting not only Vilnius, but also the historical Lithuanian capital of Trakai, you have once again demonstrated your sincere respect for the history and culture of our country.”

Lithuania has been the last stop of the three state visits that their Majesties began on Monday, to strengthen bilateral relations between Spain and the Baltic states.

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

One Response to King and Queen of Spain Baltic Tour: Last Day – Lithuania

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