President Higgins began his Official Visit to Austria with a ceremonial welcome at Hofburg Palace.
This is the first visit of President Higgins to Austria as Head of State. The President and Sabina Higgins will be accompanied by the Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, T.D.
This Official Visit is at the invitation of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, who formally welcomed President Higgins and his delegation on 6 April in Vienna. President Higgins’ visit reciprocates the Official Visit of the then President of Austria, Dr Heinz Fischer, to Ireland in 2014.