The King and Queen of Spain start Baltic Tour: Day One – Estonia

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Yesterday, May 5, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia began a tour of the Baltic states in Estonia, marking their first state visit to this country, although the Estonian President made a state visit to Spain in July 2007.

Their Majesties arrived on Monday at Tallin, where they were welcomed by the President of Estonia, Mr. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, and his wife, Evelin Ilves. After a brief meeting in the Presidential residence, the King and Queen visited the Riigikogu (the Estonian Parliament) and met with its Speaker, Ene Ergma. Later in the afternoon their majesties meet with the Spanish community in Estonia.

To complete the day, President Ilves and his wife hosted an official dinner in honor of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.

President Ilves, declared to be “proud to host King Juan Carlos, who has provided immeasurable support for the development of democracy in his home country” and that “both countries that have successfully emerged from authoritarian and totalitarian regimes and have arrived in the European Union, an alliance that is based on common values”.

Today King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia visited Tallinn’s Old Town. Beforehand, the King met with the Estonian Prime Minister, Andrus Ansip, and also visited the NATO Cyber Defence Centre in Tallinn. Queen Sofia and Evelin Ilves visited St. Nicholas’s Church and the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia left Estonia today afternoon for Latvia, which will be the second stop on their Baltic tour.

For more information and photos visit this thread.