President Stubb to make state visit to Estonia

President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb, accompanied by his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb, will make a state visit to Estonia from Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 May 2024. The aim of the state visit is to further consolidate bilateral relations between Finland and Estonia. It will also provide an opportunity to discuss the security environment and a stronger defence in Europe, energy issues and critical infrastructure.

On Monday 27 May, President of Estonia Alar Karis and his spouse Sirje Karis will greet the President and his spouse with a ceremonial welcome at the Freedom Square in Tallinn, where the programme also includes a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to the Estonian War of Independence. The public is welcome to watch the event starting at 11.

The Presidents will hold formal discussions at the Estonian President’s residence Kadriorg Palace. The topics of discussion will include bilateral issues, Ukraine as well as NATO and EU cooperation. At the end of the discussions, the Presidents will hold a joint press conference.

At the Riigikogu, the Estonian Parliament, President Stubb will meet with Lauri Hussar, President of the Riigikogu, and give a speech on relations between Finland and Estonia.

The programme also includes a meeting with Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas and Mayor of Tallinn Jevgeni Ossinovsky.

The day will conclude with a State Dinner hosted by President Karis and Mrs Karis.

On Tuesday 28 May, President Stubb will visit the Rakett69 Science Studios and meet schoolchildren there.

After that, the President will visit the Miinisadam Naval Base in Tallinn and take part in a discussion on critical subsea infrastructure and energy cooperation.

The second day of the visit will include a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to Estonian volunteers who fought for Finland during the Finnish Winter and Continuation Wars, and a visit to the Tallinn TV Tower.

In the afternoon, the Presidents and their spouses will travel to Tartu, where they will be welcomed by Mayor Urmas Klaas.

In the evening, President Stubb and Mrs Innes-Stubb will give a reception at the Estonian National Museum in Tartu.

On Wednesday morning 29 May, the program will continue with a visit to the Delta Centre of the University of Tartu, followed by a transfer to the main building of the University of Tartu, where President Stubb will give a speech and talk with students.

During the state visit, President Stubb will be accompanied by Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen, general Janne Jaakkola, Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces and Chair of the Finnish-Estonian parliamentary group of the Finnish Parliament Mikko Savola.

Suzanne Innes-Stubb, the spouse of the President of the Republic of Finland, will have a separate programme in addition to the joint programme of the presidential couple. On Monday, she and Mrs Karis will visit the Estonian Art Museum KUMU and the Old Town of Tallinn. On Tuesday, they will visit the Tallinn Music and Ballet School MUBA and the Finnish School in Tallinn. In Tartu, their program includes a visit to the university hospital.

The former President of the Republic of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, made his last visit to Estonia in 2022. President Karis last visited Finland in February 2024.