President Robinson Pays State Visit to Sweden

President Mary Robinson begins a three-day State Visit to Sweden today (15 April).

President Robinson and Mr Robinson arrive in Stockholm at 11:00 (local time) and proceed to the Royal Palace to be greeted by Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia of Sweden, who will host lunch in their honour. In the afternoon, the President will meet the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, Mrs Birgitta Dahl, and the Prime Minister of Sweden, Mr Göran Persson. After a Press Conference at the Foreign Ministry Press Centre, she will attend a reception hosted by the Ambassador of Ireland, Mr Martin Burke for members of the Irish community. That evening, the President and Mr Robinson will be guests of Their Majesties the King and Queen at a banquet in the Royal Palace.

On Wednesday, President and Mr Robinson will visit Uppsala University and the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation. At mid-day, the President will address a meeting of the Svenska Dagbladet Executive Club. After lunch with the Stockholm City Council, President Robinson will pay a visit to the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. That evening, President Robinson and Mr Robinson will host a Gala Dinner in honour of Their Majesties the King and Queen.

On Thursday, the party will fly to Kiruna in Northern Sweden, above the Arctic Circle. There they will visit "Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel," Jukkasjärvi Church and Satellitbild AB, a satellite imaging company. At Kiruna Town Hall, the President will be briefed about the Municipality of Kiruna, the Sami culture, the LKAB Mining Company and EU-related issues. The delegation will then return to Dublin directly from Kiruna airport.

For further details, please contact Ciara Delaney on 087 230 1525.Top