President Mary McAleese arrived in Riga last night, beginning five days of State visits to Latvia and neighbouring Lithuania.
The official visits are aimed at highlighting and strengthening political, economic, cultural and educational ties between Ireland and the two Baltic states, both of which joined the European Union in 2001. The President will spend three days in Latvia followed by two days in Lithuania.
Mrs McAleese is due to meet Latvian dignitaries, including President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis, and the speaker of the Latvian parliament today. She will address representatives from the country's business community during an Enterprise Ireland breakfast tomorrow and will meet leading academics on a visit to Latvia University.
On Wednesday, the President will travel to Lithuania, meeting President Valdas Adamkus and Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas in the capital Vilnius.
She is due to address the Lithuanian national parliament and an Enterprise Ireland event on Thursday before returning to Ireland to vote in the general election.
Dervish, the band that represented Ireland in the recent Eurovision Song Contest, will perform at receptions hosted by Mrs McAleese in Riga and Vilnius.