This is a momentous event because it is the first visit of the President of Ireland to Russia since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Dmitry Medvedev said at the beginning of the meeting. The Russian leader expressed his hope that the visit of the President of Ireland to Russia will be interesting and productive.
President McAleese thanked Mr Medvedev for the friendly reception and noted the high level of relations between the two countries, expressing readiness to further develop economic ties.
During her visit, the President of Ireland will also visit St Petersburg.
On the Russian side the meeting was attended by Presidential Aide Sergei Prikhodko, Russia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ireland Mikhail Timoshkin, Deputy Economic Development Minister Andrei Slepnev and Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov. Taking part in the meeting on the Irish side were Minister of State for Trade and Commerce Billy Kelleher, Ireland’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia Philip McDonagh, Secretary General to the President of Ireland Adrian O'Neill and Director of Russia, Europe, OSCE and Council of Europe section at the Department of Foreign Affairs Michael Forbes.
