The president of Latvia, Valdis Zatlers, came to Bellevue Monday, saying he wanted to personally thank the municipality for its sister city relationship with Liepaja, Latvia.

Zatlers is in the area for a speaking engagement in Seattle this week.

Mayor Grant Degginger welcomed the president, the Latvian first lady, Lilita, and other country officials at a ceremony in the City Hall concourse. The mayor and other council members gave the president a tour of parts of City Hall. Parks staff then showed the Latvians the new Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center.