EVENTS OPEN FOR THE MEDIA 

“ joins ” Date: 31 December 2013/ 1 January 2014 Time: 00.15 p.m. - 00:45 a.m. (midnight) Event: Official greetings and the first withdrawal of banknote (photo/ video opportunity) Participants: Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Latvia Andris Vilks, Governor of the Bank of Latvia Ilmars Rimsevics. Location: Bank “Citadele”, 2a Republikas square, Traditional New Year celebration with live music and entertainment program (approximately 6 000 participants) and fireworks at midnight (~ 20 000 visitors) will take place in Old Town Riga on the 11. novembra krastmala riverside drive. Working language: Latvian Support: Media representatives will get transcript of speeches in English right before the event. Individual media interviews with Latvia`s officials possible – please contact International Press Officer of Euro Communication. Press centre will be open all night. Media briefing: First 12 hours after Latvia joins Eurozone Date: 1 January 2014 Time: 2.00 p.m. Event: Media briefing. First 12 hours after Latvia joins Eurozone. Participants: State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Sanita Bajāre, President of The Association of Commercial Banks of Latvia Mārtiņš Bičevskis, Head of Cash Department of the Bank of Latvia Jānis Blūms, representatives of biggest Latvian banks and others. Location: House (28 Aspazijas Boulevard, Riga). Working language: Latvian; English translation. Support: English translation, Press centre. Latvian and Estonian presidents meets in Latvia to make first purchase with euro Date: 2 January 2014 Time: TBC Event: President of the Republic of Latvia Andris Berziņš and President of the Republic of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves visit Rūjiena city to make T.H.Ilves` first purchase in euro.

 Please note that this Schedule may be subject to change. Follow the programme on the euro website www.eiro.lv. 1 This material has received European Union co-funding within the grant agreement Communication activities in connection with the introduction of the euro in Latvia.

June 28, 2013, Twitter @IlvesToomas: “Apsveicu! [Congratulations] on EU Council decision to admit Latvia to the €-zone 1. Jan., when I shall drive to Rujena to buy my favorite saldejums [ice cream] with €s.” Participants: President of the Republic of Latvia Andris Berziņš, President of the Republic of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves. Location: Rūjiena ice cream factory store (5 Upes street, Rūjiena). Working language: English. Support: Transport from Riga will be provided. Press conference: The end of the dual circulation period of the lats and the euro Date: 16 January 2014 Time: TBC Event: Press conference. The end of the dual circulation period of the lats and the euro. January 17 – 19, Riga – European Capital of Culture 2014 – opening events. Participants: TBC Location: TBC Working language: Latvian. Support: English translation.

!!! Information on the agenda of events and possible interview times will be available by contacting press service representative. The latest information and media kit: www.eiro.lv/en

Contacts Lasma Trofimova International Press Officer Email: [email protected] +371 2648 0407 www.eiro.lv/en

2 This material has received European Union co-funding within the grant agreement Communication activities in connection with the introduction of the euro in Latvia.