Cowen calls US visit 'a success'

Taoiseach Brian Cowen today described his four-day visit to the United States, to promote Ireland as a business hub with a vibrant economy, as a success.

As he prepared for his final engagements before returning to Ireland, Mr Cowen said the message was well received and that he had useful discussions about how to tackle the global economic downturn.

The Fianna Fáil leader will meet the chairman of the Friends of Ireland in the United States Congress Richie Neal later today.

“I have had a very successful and encouraging visit to the United States,” Mr Cowen said.

“My message has been that Ireland is a confident, successful economy with a vigorous and skilled workforce and a sound, coherent economic strategy that will address the short-term economic challenges while continuing to build for our future success.

“I am glad to say that message has been very well received.”

Mr Cowen said he had very useful discussions about the international financial situation.

“I intend to reflect and to act on that advice, with my colleagues in Government, as we set about building for the future,” he said.

Mr Cowen left on his first official US trip since taking office on Tuesday.

His first major engagement on returning to Ireland will be to meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy who will arrive in the country on Monday to discuss the fall-out from the Lisbon Treaty referendum.