Upcoming State Visit by President of Croatia
Date: Tue 28th Mar, 2017 | 18:18
The President of the Republic of Croatia, Ms Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, will arrive on a State Visit to Ireland, taking place from 3 to 5 April 2017.
The visit by President Grabar-Kitarovic and her husband comes in return to the State Visit to Croatia by President Michael D. Higgins in 2013, which took place just weeks before the country’s accession to the European Union,
On the morning of Monday 3 April, the State Visit will commence with a formal welcome ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin. Following the formal welcome ceremony, a meeting between both Heads of State will take place.
In keeping with tradition, President Grabar-Kitarovic will plant a tree in the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin, as a symbol of the friendship that binds the two countries.
On the evening of 3 April, the President and Mrs. Higgins will host a State Dinner at Áras an Uachtaráin in honour of President Grabar-Kitarovic.
The programme for the State Visit of the President of the Republic of Croatia builds on the close ties between the two countries, and is aimed at strengthening the cultural, academic and economic ties between Croatia and Ireland.
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NOTES:
In 2013, President Michael D. Higgins visited Croatia, just weeks before the country joined the European Union. The President met then-President Josipovic for bilateral talks, met with Croatian prime minister Milanović, as well as with Croatian and Irish business representatives.
The President delivered the visit’s keynote speech at the University of Zagreb. The full text of the speech, focusing on the future of Europe and reflecting on Ireland’s experience as a member state of the EU, is available here.
The President also spoke at the State Dinner. His speech is available here.
Photos of the 2013 State Visit are available in the Photo section of the President's website.