President to visit Latvia and Lithuania
President Mary McAleese will leave for a major five-day state visit to Latvia and Lithuania this weekend.
The high-level trip is expected to strengthen political, economic and cultural links between the two countries and Ireland.
The President will end her tour on May 24 in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, before returning to Ireland that afternoon to cast her General Election vote.
Latvia will welcome President McAleese on Monday with a special ceremony attended by the country’s senior political figures.
She is due to meet President Vike-Freiberga, Prime Minister Kalvitis and the Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) in Latvia’s capital, Riga.
Her itinerary includes visits to local museums and a meeting with Riga’s city council.
Ms McAleese will also address Latvia’s business and academic communities.
Later in the week she will meet the Lithuanian President Adamkus and Prime Minister Kirkila.
A visit to the Church of St Peter and Paul in Vilnius is also planned.
On May 24, President McAleese will address both the Lithuanian national parliament and an Enterprise Ireland business event.
Her return flight from Vilnius is due to touch down at Dublin Airport at 3.40pm.
She is expected to cast her vote at St Mary’s Hospital in the Phoenix Park at 4.30pm.
