President Edward Fenech Adami and Mrs Fenech Adami yesterday afternoon left Malta for a two-day state visit to the Republic of Latvia.

This is the first such visit of a head of state of Malta to Latvia.

The president is accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo.

During this state visit the president will hold talks with the President of the Republic of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, with the Speaker of the Saeima, Ms Ingrîda Ûdre, with Prime Minister Aigars Kalvîtis and the Mayor of Riga, Aivars Aksenoks.

A business delegation including high officials of government entities, of constituted bodies and also of private companies has joined the state visit and will have a separate programme to follow.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami will return to Malta on Wednesday.