Queen Elizabeth II confirms plan to visit Baltics in October

Aug 4, 2006, 17:24 GMT

London / Riga - Queen Elizabeth II is to visit the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia from October 17 to 20, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Friday.

The visit, which has already been widely discussed by the Baltic media, is seen locally as a compliment to the three states and a recognition of their achievements.

'Latvian foreign policy experts agree that the queen's visit shows Britain's growing interest in our state... This is a special gesture, because Prince Charles has already visited us twice,' Latvian daily Diena commented when the visit was first announced.

The queen has no say in the shaping of British foreign policy, but her visits can generate diplomatic goodwill. The UK and the Baltics share a range of strategic interests within the EU - interests generally characterised as liberal and pro-American.

'This first visit by a British monarch to Latvia will celebrate the excellent bilateral relations, past and present, between our states, and our current co-operation in the EU and NATO,' said Judith Gardiner, deputy head of the British Embassy in Riga, according to Baltic News Service BNS.

Concern will now focus on maintaining security at the event. The last time the Queen's son and heir, Prince Charles, visited the Baltics, a young Latvian Bolshevik slapped him with a carnation - an embarrassment all sides will be keen to avoid repeating.

The Queen is scheduled to visit Lithuania on October 17-18, Latvia on October 18-19, and Estonia on October 19-20, palace sources confirmed.