PRESIDENT MARY McAleese and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin will travel to the Middle East next week for official visits focusing on bilateral relations with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, and recent regional developments, including the crisis in Gaza.
Mrs McAleese will begin her visit in Bahrain, where she will meet the king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, and other dignitaries. The President will also perform the official opening of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland Medical University of Bahrain campus.
In Abu Dhabi, Mrs McAleese and Mr Martin will meet the crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They will then travel on to Dubai, where they will meet the emirate’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose family has extensive business interests in Ireland.
The President and Mr Martin will have talks with Irish business leaders in the region before visiting the Meydan racecourse development, where they will meet Irish jockeys and Meydan owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.