Linguist and professor of the Universities of Latvia and Helsinki Laimute Baluode will receive the first award for her comprehensive academic research of the Baltic languages.
The Lithuanian and Latvian foreign ministers established the Balts Award on Sep. 22, 2017, on a day when the Day of the Baltic Unity is marked.
The award will be bestowed for excellent achievements in research, fostering and strengthening of the Balts’ heritage. The aim of the Balts’ Award is to recognize the excellence and achievements related to individual contribution and accomplishment in the promotion of Latvian-Lithuanian and Lithuanian-Latvian translations, teaching and enhancing the use of the Latvian and Lithuanian languages, research on the Latvian and Lithuanian tangible and intangible cultural and historic heritage, as well as investigative journalism on Latvian and Lithuanian history, culture and tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Linkevičius is also scheduled to meet with his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkevičs and discuss bilateral and international political affairs.