President McAleese set for Romania visit

President Mary McAleese will meet business and political leaders and members of the Irish community during a state visit to Romania next week.

Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin will join Mrs McAleese and her husband Martin on the three-day trip.

In Bucharest, the president will address an Enterprise Ireland dinner on Monday which will be attended by Irish firms based in Romania.

The head of state will receive a ceremonial welcome to Romania before a formal meeting with President Traian Basescu.

She will then lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and meet with the presidents of both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

The president will later meet with members of the Irish community living in Romania accompanied by Prime Minister Calni Popescu Tariceanu.

President Basescu will also host a state dinner in honour of President McAleese that evening.

On Wednesday, the president will be conferred with an Honorary Professorship by the University of Cluj.

She will also meet with students of the Irish Studies MA programme at the University.

Mrs McAleese will conclude her official engagements in Romania with a lunch hosted by the Mayor of Cluj and a performance of Irish traditional music and dance at the City Hall.

The president is also due to make a four-day visit to Norway from October 13-16.