(Washington, DC) – The President of the Republic of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, has confirmed that he will address the 11th Conference of the Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc. (JBANC) in Washington, DC on Saturday, April 18.

His presence at the JBANC conference emphasizes the significant timing of the event at a time when attention towards the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania is at a high level.

In addition to President Ilves of Estonia, the conference, to be held at the Renaissance Dupont Circle Hotel, also will feature key speeches by former Prime Minister of Lithuania Andrius Kubilius and Latvian Member of the European Parliament and former Foreign and Defense Minister Artis Pabriks.

Main conference themes will center on defending Ukraine, Russia’s disinformation campaign and motivations against the West, and the Western response.

JBANC has extended the registration fee deadline for the conference through April 7. The $200 standard registration fee increases to $225 after that date.

A draft program, list of conference panels and panelists, and registration forms are available at: http://jbanc.org/?m=1&p=2.

JBANC is also coordinating with the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) on its annual Congressional Advocacy Day on April 16, and welcomes conference participants and others who wish to meet with Congressional leaders and staff to discuss United States policy on these issues.
 
Karl Altau
JBANC Managing Director

JBANC represents the Estonian American National Council, Inc., the American Latvian Association in the U.S., and the Lithuanian American Council, Inc.