President Karis visiting Germany accompanied by business and cultural delegation

President Alar Karis is on an official three-day visit to Berlin, where today he will be meeting with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier to discuss support for Ukraine, European security and relations between Estonia and Germany, with a focus on the economic, defence, cultural and digital fields.

“Germany is one of the driving forces in Europe and a hugely important partner to us in many different areas,” the head of state remarked. “We have to find ways of getting it increasingly involved in cooperation with the countries in the Baltic Sea region, because in a world in crisis, we all need one another even more than before.” He added that the significance of Germany’s role in support for Ukraine is reflected in the fact that it is the biggest contributor to the beleaguered country in Europe.

This evening, the two heads of state will be taking part in a digital round table organised by GovTech Campus Deutschland, which was established in 2022 to develop and test innovative digital solutions. Estonian entrepreneurs will be showcasing digital state solutions at the event, whose main topic is the use of digital technology for the good of democracy. Estonia’s digital experience will also go on show at a European School of Management and Technology seminar entitled “Estonia’s digital strategies”.

On Wednesday, President Karis will be part of the opening panel at the Humboldt Forum, organised by the highly regarded Berghof Foundation. The panel will discuss the international efforts needed to find solutions to conflicts and maintain peace.

The head of state will also be giving the opening address at a meeting of cultural figures from Estonia and Germany, the aim of which is to bring movers and shakers in the cultural life of both countries together to work on projects. “Often it is high-level visits such as this one which help to open doors for creative individuals and companies that would otherwise remain closed to them,” President Karis noted. He will also be attending a Curly Strings concert at the Berlin Kulturbrauerei, which forms part of the Estonian band’s German tour.

The business delegation accompanying the head of state on the visit includes representatives of the companies ADM Interactive, birkle IT Estonia, CGI Eesti, Cybernetica, CybExer Technologies, Datel, FOB Solutions, Guardtime, Net Group, Nortal and Proekspert.

The cultural delegation includes representatives of the Estonian National Opera, the Estonian National Museum, the Arvo Pärt Centre, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Eesti Kontsert, the Estonian Film Institute, the Estonian Literature Centre, the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, the Estonian Traditional Music Centre, the Estonian Festival Orchestra, Tallinn Music Week, Tallinn Art Hall, Kanuti Gildi SAAL and the Vaba Lava Foundation.

President Karis will be returning to Estonia on Thursday evening.