2015-05-04

Ex-President Valdis Zalters Meets with Students

Former President of Latvia, Valdis Zalters met with students from various higher educational institutions at the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University on May 4 and delivered a lecture on a topic “Challenges Facing the European and Euro-Atlantic Space.” TSU Rector, Academician Vladimer Papava and Latvian Ambassador to Georgia, Elita Gavele attended the event. The meeting with students was held in frames of European Week.

During the meeting, Ex-President Zalters spoke about the similarity of Latvia’s and Georgia’s roads to EU and NATO integration; changes carried out in Latvia following its EU and NATO integration and necessary steps that Georgia should take on its path to the West. “I am glad to participate in this meeting, because I think that one of my major tasks is to talk with young people, as they are our future. We can return to the past and see what we have done, but it is very important to create the future that, I think, depends on future generations,” Ex-President Zalters said.

“Former President of Latvia, Valdis Zalters is visiting our university; a meeting with students is important for him, because young people always represent an interesting audience for politicians. Our students have an opportunity to ask him questions and hear from one of the European leaders about the road followed by his country to EU and NATO membership. Similar meetings are always important for the university and we are glad to receive top level guests,” TSU Rector, Academician Vladimer Papava said.

By the end of the meeting Rector Papava awarded the University Medal to ex-President Zalters.

Valdis Zalters was the President of Latvia in 2007-2011. In 2009 the President of Georgia awarded him with St. George’s Order of Victory.

In frames of European Week, ex-President Zalters will visit Shida Kartli Region on May 4-11. He will also meet with experts to discuss European security challenges.
An exhibition of commixes as well as a presentation of illustrated brochures “European Road – My Choice” will be held at the Tbilisi City Assembly (Sakrebulo).  The European Parliament Simulation – Finale Youth Non-Governmental Organization will be held at the Free University. The event will be organized by the European Youth Center. An open day will be held at the Swedish Embassy to Georgia with the participation of volunteers from the Information Center on NATO and EU. Upon initiative of the Georgian Parliament, an exhibition “Donbas – Peace and War” will be opened at the Occupation Museum; a photo exhibition will be held at the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia. The events will simultaneously be held in a number of Georgian regions: Imereti, Adjara, Samegrelo and Kakheti.       

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