Polish president to arrive in Estonia for state visit Monday

TALLINN - At the invitation of President Alar Karis, Polish President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda will be on a state visit to Estonia from Monday to Wednesday.

The visit reaffirms the close allied relations between Estonia and Poland and the two countries' extensive cooperation in the fields of defense and security, economy, transport, and education, spokespeople for the Estonian president said.

"Estonia and Poland work together daily to keep our region safe. Our alliance is deeply rooted in NATO, the European Union, and several regional initiatives. This partnership gives us confidence in overcoming security challenges," Karis said.

The main focus of the state visit will be on security cooperation between Estonia and Poland. Discussions will address European security and defense, cooperation within NATO, and transatlantic relations. Special attention will be given to the security of the Baltic Sea region, military cooperation, and joint efforts to counter hybrid threats. Support for Ukraine and issues related to Russia and Belarus will also be discussed. Economic cooperation topics will include energy cooperation, the development of Rail Baltic and regional connectivity, and collaboration within the Three Seas Initiative.

On Tuesday, President Alar Karis and First Lady Sirje Karis will officially welcome the Polish presidential couple at the Office of the President of the Republic, followed by a meeting between the two presidents and a joint press conference.

Duda will also meet with Riigikogu speaker Lauri Hussar and Prime Minister Kristen Michal and will lay a wreath at the War of Independence Victory Monument. In the afternoon, the Polish head of state and his spouse will meet with Poles living in Estonia, including the representatives of the Union of Poles in Estonia.

President Alar Karis and First Lady Sirje Karis will host a state dinner in honor of the Polish presidential couple in the newly renovated representative building on Toompea.

On Wednesday, the Polish head of state will visit the Cyber Security Training Center CR14 (Cyber Range), which hosts NATO and Estonian cyber training grounds, where he will receive an overview of Estonia-NATO cyber cooperation.

The Polish and Estonian presidential couples will jointly visit Pelgulinna State Gymnasium to learn about Estonia’s education system and the school's academic activities.

The visit will conclude with a reception hosted by the Polish presidential couple at the Tallinn Town Hall, followed by an official farewell ceremony on the Town Hall Square.

First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda and Sirje Karis will visit the Vanalinna Hariduskolleegium school to get acquainted with the daily life of the school and its students. They will then visit Lilli Jahilo's showroom to learn about Estonian fashion design, particularly how traditional handicraft techniques are incorporated into modern design. At Anni Arro Studio, they will meet with representatives from Estonia’s and Poland’s education and culture sectors.