McAleese begins Mediterranean tour

President Mary McAleese today begins the first-ever Irish state visit to Malta.

Prof. McAleese will meet dignitaries and officials in the Maltese capital Valletta, including President Fenech Adami and Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi.

She is also due to deliver an address to Maltese business leaders at the nation’s Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise.

On Saturday, Prof McAleese will make a state visit to another Mediterranean isle, the Republic of Cyprus.

She will attend Ireland’s Euro 2008 qualifier game against Cyprus in Limassol.

The president will also meet Irish gardaí serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force on the island.

On Monday she will hold official talks with President Tassos Papadopoulos and receive the coveted Golden Key of Nicosia.

Prof. McAleese will also deliver an address at the University of Cyprus on the theme, Europe’s New Horizons: An Irish Perspective.

The president will be accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern in Malta and by Minister for the Environment Dick Roche in Cyprus.