President Karis on state visit to Greece

From today until Wednesday, President Alar Karis is on an official visit to Greece, where he will be meeting with his counterpart Constantine Tassoulas, President of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis and Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Sofia Zacharaki.

The visit is designed to strengthen the partnership and boost cooperation between Estonia and Greece, and to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine, Russia's isolation in the international arena and the impact on Europe of events in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.

As well as the further enhancing of political, economic, cultural and educational relations between Estonia and Greece, discussions will focus on the Middle East crisis and how it affects the European economy and security, as well as support for Ukraine, the continuation of sanctions against Russia and the obstructing of its shadow fleet. The talks will also touch on transatlantic relations and cooperation in the EU border agency Frontex, in which Estonian border guards and experts are regularly involved, to protect the union's external borders against illegal migration.

On Syntagma Square in Athens, President Karis will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, commemorating Greek soldiers whose lives have been lost in various battles. The head of state will also be meeting with Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Sofia Zacharaki to discuss the adoption of AI in education and to visit the country's Education Innovation Centre. In addition, President Karis will be visiting the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), where Executive Director Juhan Lepassaar will give an overview of the prevention, identification and resolution of information security issues in Member States.

On Wednesday, the Estonian and Greek heads of state will be opening the Delphi Economic Forum, which will bring together policymakers, entrepreneurs and opinion leaders from across Europe to discuss the future of the economy, security and societies. In his address, President Karis will focus on boosting Europe's competitiveness, stressing the importance of education, innovation, cooperation and a people-driven economy in shaping the continent's future. On the sidelines of the forum, the head of state will be meeting with Prince Albert II of Monaco to discuss support for Ukraine and ways of strengthening cooperation between Estonia and the principality.

President Karis will be returning to Estonia late on Wednesday evening. Gallery (Raigo Pajula): Office of the President /Presidendi kantselei's albums | Flickr