President Mary McAleese is jetting off today for official visits to Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Mrs McAleese is due to deliver the keynote address at the 7th Jeddah Economic Forum, one of the Middle East's most important annual gatherings of world leaders, government officials, academics and business leaders, tomorrow. Her two-day visit to Saudi Arabia will also include a courtesy call on His Majesty King Abdullah and a meeting with Saudi businesswomen. President McAleese is due to arrive in Jordan on Monday to begin a three-day state visit at the invitation of Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania. Her engagements will commence with a number of ceremonial events including a formal welcome ceremony at Basman Palace, a visit to the Martyrs' Monument and a state dinner hosted by the King and Queen. Mrs McAleese will also address the Royal Jordanian Parliament and meet with the Prime Minister of Jordan. Other events on the President's programme will include a number of Irish community receptions and visits to the King Hussein Cancer Centre and the World Heritage Site at Petra. President McAleese will have the opportunity to support Irish trade in the Gulf region at a number of Enterprise Ireland business events. A trade mission of over 40 companies will accompany the President on her visit. The President will also be accompanied to Saudi Arabia by her husband, Dr Martin McAleese and Michael Ahern, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment. The Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, will join the President on her arrival in Jordan. The President is due to return to Ireland next Friday.