THE PRESIDENT AND MRS. DE MARCO LEAVE ON A STATE VISIT TO ESTONIA

The President of Malta Prof. Guido de Marco and Mrs. de Marco this morning left Malta on a state visit of two days, to Estonia. The President, accompanied by the Minister for Justice and Local Councils Dr. Austin Gatt, will arrive in the Estonian capital, Talinn, in the afternoon.

On his arrival in Estonia, late in the afternoon, President de Marco is expected to hold talks with President Lennart Meri and later address the press. On Wednesday, the President and Mrs de Marco will be the guests of President and Mrs Meri at a State Dinner. The next day, Thursday, President de Marco is scheduled to meet the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Riigikogu) and the members of the House. Subsequently, at Stenbock House he will meet Prime Minister Mart Laar. Later the President will honour the teachers and students who perished during the Liberty War by laying a wreath at the Memorial in Talin. He will also meet the Mayor of the Estonian Capital.

On arriving at the University town of Tartu, President de Marco is expected to visit the Supreme Court, and in the evening, together with Mrs de Marco, will host a reception in honour of President and Mrs Meri. During his stay at Tartu University, President de Marco will deliver a lecture entitled "Europe - its values, its future" and later, together with President Meri, will address a Press Conference at the end of the visit.

During the state visit, the Chief executive officer of the Malta Information Technology and Training Services Ltd, MITTS, Mr. David Spiteri Gingell will be with the Presidential delegation and will be holding talks with his Estonian counterpart.

A double taxation agreement is expected to be signed during this state visit. Minister Austin Gatt will be signing on behalf of the Government of Malta

The President and Mrs. de Marco will return on Saturday, 5^th May, 2001.