They were awarded for personal contribution to the development of bilateral relations, active efforts to improve political, cultural, economic, and public cooperation between the two countries.
The Grand Cross of the Order For Merits to Lithuania was awarded to Estonia's Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and the country's Ambassador to Vilnius Toomas Kukk.
Recipients of the Grand Cross of Commander of the Order For Merits to Lithuania include central Bank of Estonia manager Ardo Hansson, Estonia's former prime minister Mart Laar, Finance Minister Jurgen Ligi, Estonia's Ambassador to Russia Juri Luik, Minister of Economics and Communications Juhan Parts, and Defense Minister Urmas Reinsalu.
Tartu University professor, Lithuania's Honorary Consul to Estonia Birutė Klaas-Lang, and director of the office of the Estonian president Siimas Raie will receive the Cross of Commander of the Order For Merits to Lithuania.
Among those awarded with the Cross of Officer and Cross of Commander, are Estonian presidential advisers, employees of the Foreign Ministry and Skype founders Ahti Heinla, Priit Kasesalu, and Jaan Tallinn.
The orders were awarded on the occasion of Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves' visit to Lithuania.
