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You have heard of BALTBAT, BALTRON and BALTNET but now theres a BALTBUS as well. From November 17 22, fifteen Baltic Youth representatives from Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association (EATA), Latvian Transatlantic Organization (LATO) and Lithuanian Atlantic Treaty Association (LATA) will be going to NATO Prague summit by bus - the Baltic Youth NATO Bus to the NATO Prague Summit. On the route Tallinn Tartu Riga - Vilnius Kaunas Prague different interactive activities will be held in the main squares of the cities in order to show to the local public the joint efforts of the Baltic States to become members of NATO. State officials, NGOs representatives and diplomats will also be invited to attend these public events and express their support for NATO by leaving handprints on the Baltic NATO poster, which will be exhibited in Prague. NATO activists from Baltic countries will distribute the Baltic Youth declaration Next stop NATO and other informative materials, and talk to well-wishers. The Baltic Youth representatives will participate at The Prague Atlantic Student Summit (PASS) held on November 21-22 parallel to the 21-22 November NATO Summit in Prague. Over 180 young people will attend it from more than 35 countries. They will discuss NATO's future development and its further crucial tasks. The goal of the project Baltic Youth Bus to Prague is to demonstrate the enthusiasm, commitment and co-operation of Baltic youth in their support of Baltic membership in NATO. As the next generation that will benefit from membership in NATO, the Baltic youth also want to explain how their NGO activities support and enhance the efforts of the Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian governments. As a further example of Baltic unity, the three Baltic pro-NATO NGOs have formed the Baltic Atlantic Treaty Organisation BATA. The project is supported by Danish Atlantic Treaty Association; Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian Ministries of Foreign Affairs; Latvian and Lithuanian Ministry of Defence; Royal Norwegian Embassy in Lithuania, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Lithuania. Press contacts: Ms. Dagnija Stuķēna, LATO Secretary General Phone: +371 7322883 Mobile phone: +371 9470708 Fax: +371 7106202 E-mail: sdagnija@lato.lv
Programme "Baltic Youth NATO Bus"November 17Tallinn, Estonia at 12:00 13.00, Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) Baltic NATO youth will be met by MP Liis Klaar, EATA Vice-Chairman, the Ambassador of NATO point contact Embassy Norway Per Kristian Pedersen, the vice-mayor of Tallinn Rein Lang*, the former Estonian Ministers of Foreign Affairs Amb. Trivimi Velliste and Amb. Toomas Hendrik Ilves who will greet the youth and wish them a successful trip. The NATO-activists will distribute Baltic declaration and other informative materials and invite everybody present to express their support for NATO by leaving handprints on Baltic NATO poster Next stop NATO. Tartu, Estonia at 16:00 17.00, Town Hall square (Raekoja plats) The youth will be greeted by vice-mayor of Tartu Hannes Astok, Commandant of BaltDefCol Brigadier General Michael H. Clemmensen and Commandant of Estonian Defence Forces Academy General Ants Laaneots*. Once again, materials will be distributed and more handprints will be added to the Baltic NATO poster Next stop NATO. November 18 (National Independence day of the Republic of Latvia)Riga, Latvia at 10:30 12.00, Town Hall Square (Rātslaukums) The youth will be greeted by Amb. Ojārs Kalniņš, LATO Chairman. Tea for travellers and everyone present will be served by soldiers of Latvian National Armed Forces. Once again, materials will be distributed and more handprints will be added to the Baltic NATO poster Next stop NATO. The president of Republic of Latvia H.E. Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga will greet the Baltic youth (at 11:30). Tea for travellers and everyone present will be served by soldiers of National Armed Forces. November 19Vilnius, Lithuania at 10:00 11.00, Town Hall Square (Rotušes aikštė) Baltic Youth will be greeted by Orchestra of Lithuanian Ministry of Defence. The event will be opened by Mr. Aurimas Perednis, LATA Chairman. Youth will be greeted by Amb. of Czech Republic H.E. Mr. Petr Voznica, Amb. of Denmark H.E. Eva Janson, Amb. of Norway H.E. Kare Hauge, Amb. of the Republic of Poland H.E. Jerzy Bahr, UK Defence attaché Lt.Col. Peter Swanson and also Gen. Mjr. Jonas Algirdas Kronkaitis - head of Lithuanian army. Information will be distributed and handprints from Lithuanian well wishers will be added to the NATO poster. Vilnius, President House at 11:30 The youth will meet Lithuanian president H.E. Valdas Adamkus in President House and give the Baltic declaration Next stop NATO. Vilnius, Ministry of Defence, at 12:10 Meeting with Lithuanian Minister of Defence Mr. Linas Linkevičius. Vilnius, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at 13:00 Meeting with Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Antanas Valionis. Vilnius, Polish Institute at 13.30 Ambassador of the Republic of Poland H.E. Jerzy Bahr will make a reception for the BALTBUS delegation in the Embassy of the Republic of Poland. Kaunas, Lithuania at 16:00 17:00, Square of Unity (Vienybės aikštė) Baltic youth Bus will be greeted by Vytautas Magnus University students who will be invited to express their support for NATO leaving handprints on Baltic NATO poster Next stop NATO. Also all information materials will be distributed and face-to-face communication about NATO will be initiated. November 22 Prague, Czech Republic at 17.00 18:00, Municipality House (Obecny Dum, Prague Concert Hall, 18:00 PM the concert Kremerata Baltica) The Baltic youth travellers will be greeted by representatives from Youth Atlantic Treaty Association (YATA) who are participating in The Prague Atlantic Student Summit (PASS)*. Baltic NGO activists will distribute Baltic declaration and other information materials to all people at presence and express their idea about the youth unity towards Baltic way to NATO. The Baltic NATO poster Next stop NATO with handprints of the Baltic people will be exhibited in Prague Concert Hall. Those wishing to add their hands of support to the poster will be encouraged to do so. *to be conformed
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