The Prime Minister to meet the Prime Minister of Finland to jointly inaugurate the Patria military vehicle plant

On Friday 24 May, Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa will host Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo during his working visit to Latvia. The Heads of Government will also jointly inaugurate the plant of the Patria Group company 'Defence Partnership Latvia' in Valmiera, where the production of military vehicles has been launched.

The Heads of Government of Latvia and Finland will address the development of the European Union's military industry, the support for Ukraine and the upcoming NATO Washington Summit, as well as the strengthening of regional security, investment and economic cooperation between Latvia and Finland. Following the meeting, a joint press conference will be held at the Cabinet of Ministers at 10.00 AM.

In Valmiera, at about 1.00 AM, the Heads of Government of Latvia and Finland, the company management, the management of the Ministry of Defence and the Valmiera Municipality will jointly inaugurate the Patria military vehicle plant. Following the inauguration, the media questions will be answered. After the Q&A session, the exhibition 'Finnish Jägers in Latvia' will be opened at the Valmiera Integrated Library.

Attention to the media representatives:

• To attend the events listed in the media programme, a special accreditation is required for each media representative. Deadline for accreditation: 23 May 2024, 2 AM, by filling out the accreditation form provided by the State Chancellery. Accreditation applications submitted after the deadline will not be processed.
• Please note that there is a separate accreditation form for the opening of the Patria plant.
• The accredited media representatives are required to respect the business dress code.

In Rīga

• 9.00 AM Joint photo of the Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa and Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo

  • Cabinet of Ministers, Ground floor foyer, 36 Brīvības bulvāris

  • Photo and video opportunity

  • Media arrival: until 8.40 AM

• 9.20 AM The beginning of the meeting with the delegations of Prime Minister Evika Silina and Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo

  • Cabinet of Ministers, Prime Ministers' Hall, Brīvības bulvāris 36

  • Photo and video opportunity

  • Media arrival: until 8.40 AM

• 10.00 AM Joint press conference of the Prime minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa and Prime minister of Finland Petteri Orpo

  • Press conference available both in-person and via ZOOM

  • Press conference will be live on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers www.mk.gov.lv.available in Latvian and English. There will be the original sound option for the live feed too. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided.

  • Cabinet of Ministers, Press conference room, 2.floor

  • Media arrival: until 9.40 AM

In cooperation with the PATRIA group company Defence Partnership Latvia, media representatives will have the opportunity to use a specially organized bus to use media opportunities in Valmiera. The bus will depart from the Cabinet of Ministers at 10.40 AM.

In Valmiera

• 1.10 PM Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa and Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo take part in the PATRIA factory opening

  • Media opportunities at "Defence Partnership Latvia", PATRIA group available with an additional accreditation (here)

  • Meistaru iela 4, Valmiera

  • Media tour

  • Opening speeches byPATRIA Group president Esa Rautalinko, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo, Minister of Defence of Latvia Andris Sprūds, Mayor of Valmiera Jāņis Baiks

  • Photo and video opportunity

  • Interview opportunities

  • Media arrival until 12.20 PM

  • For further questions about media opportunities at PATRIA Group company Defence Partnership Latvia: Undīne Kate Finka, Project Assistant at LEAD Corporate Communications, [email protected], 22137348

• 2.40 PM Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa and Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo take par in opening exhibition "Finnish Jaegers in Latvia"

  • Valmieras Integrētā bibliotēka, Cēsu iela 4, Valmiera

  • Photo and video opportunity

  • Media arrival until 2.15 PM

  • For any questions about media opportunities at the Valmiera Integrated Library: Kristīne Melece, Head of Branding and Public Relations, Valmiera Municipality, [email protected], +371 64207136, +371 26553317

The media bus will leave the Valmiera Integrated Library at Cēsu iela 4 for Rīga at about 3.30 PM. Destination: The Cabinet of Ministers, Brīvības bulvāris 36, Rīga.