President embarks on tour of Baltics

President Mary McAleese leaves Dublin today for a four-day trip to the Baltics.

She will be visiting two of the European Union's newer states - Latvia and Lithuania.

After Poland, Ireland's two largest immigrant communities come from the Baltic states of Latvia and Lithuania, and both were among the 10 countries which joined the EU during Ireland's presidency in 2004.

On Monday and Tuesday, Mrs McAleese will be the guest of honour at gatherings hosted by both the president and the prime minister of Latvia.

The following days, she will be the guest of her Lithuanian counterpart and the Lithuanian prime minister.

In both countries, the President will address an Enterprise Ireland business breakfast and meet members of the Irish community based in the Baltics.