Kiri

I L IANA IVANOVA MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Ms Heidy Purga Minister of Culture

Dear Minister Purga,

I would like to thank you for the constructive and positive discussions at the last Sport

Council on 24 November. On all of the points on the agenda, I was impressed by the

common sense of direction and political will to strengthen our values-based European Sport

Model and to use the full potential of sport as a driver for social cohesion and unity across

our Union.

This common purpose is all the more important as we enter a remarkable year for sport in

Europe, which will be full of major sport events hosted by our Member States. The Paris

2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a unique opportunity to show the impact that

major sport events can have on all of Europe – from promoting our common values to

leaving a lasting legacy on everything from physical activity to environmental sustainability.

To make the most of this opportunity, the Commission will embark on a series of events

and initiatives in 2024 under the banner of “Road to Paris2024”. This will include an

Olympic-themed EU Sport Forum and activities as part of the #BeActive and European

Week of Sport campaign.

In this spirit, and as mentioned during the Council, I would like to invite you to nominate

one Olympic or Paralympic athlete or sport-related personality as an Ambassador of this

initiative. The 27 Ambassadors – one from each Member State - will be able to share their

perspectives on the Games, what they mean to them and how they link to our common EU

values. The Ambassadors will be invited to record a short video message, to be part of the

#BeActive communication campaigns. They will also be invited to play an active role in the

EU Sport Forum which will take place in Belgium 100 days ahead of the Games.

I would be grateful if you could reply with the name of your nominee to the Head of the

Sport Unit in the European Commission, Ms Floor van Houdt (Florencia.van-

[email protected]) by 23 February 2024. She will also be available to answer any

questions or provide any further information that you may need.

I would like to thank you in advance for your support to use 2024 to showcase best of

European sport and to give a face to our European Sport Model.

Yours sincerely,

Iliana Ivanova

Electronically signed on 08/02/2024 11:12 (UTC+01) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121

Rue Guimard 11/13 1040 Brüssel Tel: +32 2 227 39 10 [email protected] https://eu.mfa.ee/et/

Heidy Purga

Kultuuriminister

Kultuuriministeerium

09.02.2024 nr 10.1-13/141-1

Austatud minister

Edastame Teile Euroopa Komisjoni voliniku Iliana Ivanova 09.02.2024 kirja nr

Ares(2024)986261 (nomination of Paris 2024 Ambassador).

Lugupidamisega

Aivo Orav

Esinduse juht Lisa: voliniku kiri 2 lk

Tiiu Noobel +32 2227 4337 [email protected]

1

Tiiu Noobel

From: LEROY Celine <[email protected]> Sent: reede, 9. veebruar 2024 11:21 To: Aivo Orav; Esindus EL juures üldaadress Cc: DIMITROV Emil; BALLA Georgia Subject: ESTONIA_Request for transmitting a letter to Ms Heidy Purga, Minister of Culture Attachments: EE Transmission letter Minister Purga.pdf; EE Nomination Paris2024 ambassador-

Minister Purga.pdf

Our internal references: Ares(2024)986261 Dear Madam, Dear Sir,

On behalf of Mr Emil Dimitrov, Member in the Cabin et of Ms Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner responsible for ‘Innovation, Research, Culture Education and Youth’, you will please find here attached a request signed by the Head of Cabinet, Mr Markus Schulte to the attention of His Excellency Ambassador Aivo Orav, with his best regards to transmitting the thank you letter and invitation addressed to Ms Heidy Purga, Minister of Culture, signed by Commissioner Ivanova, to nominate an athlete by preferably by Friday 23rd of February, with apologies for the delay.

You will please note that there will be no postal mail following this message. It would be great if the colleagues could acknowledge receipt back to us on the message and on the letter.

We wish you good receipt of it.

1. Transmission letter to the attention of the Ambassador Orav

2. Signed letter by Commissioner Ivanova to the attention of Minister Purga

We remain at your disposal for additional information and further queries. Thank you in advance for your precious help and wishing you a lovely start of the day.

With kind regards,

Celine Leroy Secretary +32 2 297 22 14 +32 489 02 90 77