Irish President in Malta

The Irish experience of EU membership will be the theme of a meeting today between Irish President Mary McAleese and members of the Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise.

The meeting is just one event in a packed programme for Mrs McAleese who yesterday started a two-day state visit at the invitation of President Eddie Fenech Adami.

Mrs McAleese, who hails from Northern Ireland and was elected President of Ireland for a second term in October 2004, arrived yesterday morning and attended a welcoming ceremony at St George's Square, Valletta, where she was warmly greeted by President Fenech Adami.

Many people watched the colourful ceremony, which saw the participation of the Armed Forces of Malta Band and an AFM Guard of Honour.

After the ceremony, the Irish President called on President Fenech Adami at the Palace and later laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in Floriana.

Yesterday evening Mrs McAleese attended a state concert and dinner in her honour at the Palace hosted by Dr Fenech Adami.

Today, Mrs McAleese will meet Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and opposition leader Alfred Sant and will take part in a tree planting ceremony at San Anton Palace in Attard.

This morning she will visit St Patrick's School in Sliema which is run by the Salesians of Don Bosco who know their origin in the Irish Salesian Province.

The Irish President will also visit the Hypogeum Temples in Paola, St John's Co-Cathedral and the Upper Barrakka Garden in Valletta before meeting the businessmen at the chamber.

In the evening she will host a dinner in honour of Dr and Mrs Fenech Adami.

Mrs McAleese's visit ends tomorrow morning.