REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT AN IRISH COMMUNITY RECEPTION, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT AN IRISH COMMUNITY RECEPTION, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK MONDAY, 11TH OCTOBER, 2010
God aftermiddag
Good Afternoon
Mine danmer og herrer, jeg er meget glad for at være her i København i dag.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am very glad to be here in Copenhagen today.
Martin and I are delighted to be here in the beautiful city of Copenhagen today. I’d like to thank Ambassador Scannell for this evening’s reception and opportunity to meet those who are a central part of the strong Irish-Danish friendship. You are the people who forge the strong human ties that bond us, family ties, cultural ties, business ties, political ties; whatever your story, it is a story that opens Ireland and Denmark up to each other with an intimacy and accuracy that is very special. We are very grateful to each one of you for all that you do to foster good relationships between our two countries and this visit will, I hope, strengthen you in that informal ambassadorship even as it strengthens our formal ties.
I’ve already received a warm welcome from the Prime Minister and the President of the Parliament this morning and will meet Her Majesty Queen Margrethe at Fredensborg this evening. Earlier today the Ambassador, together with our State's economic agencies, hosted a business lunch for representatives from Danish and Irish companies. I was delighted to meet those in attendance and the feedback from those present was most promising for future developments.
The message I bring with me to all my engagements here in Denmark is that Ireland is open for business. Our economy is getting back on track after a difficult spell. Our people have absorbed huge sacrifices for the Government has made hard and painful decisions and the forthcoming December Budget will continue with the strategy for correction. Thankfully we are regaining competitiveness and our export sector has held up extremely well in this tough global economic environment giving us real hope that we can rekindle sustainable growth and get our people back to work. Innovation and new partnerships will of course be crucial to our future prosperity and that is why on this visit there will be a focus on encouraging collaboration in renewable energy research, science and innovation, and extending our business ties.
Over the next two days I will travel to Samsø, to Århus and to Roskilde, scene of one of the the biggest Danish-Irish collaborations with the magnificent Sea Stallion of Glendalough, or as you may know her better, Havhingsten fra Glendalough and her epic voyages to Ireland from Roskilde and back. Many a boat and plane took our emigrating Irish to far-off lands and we have today a great legacy and resource in our global Irish family, not least the part of that family that is here in Denmark. Never underestimate how important you are to us for the connections you make are building vital human bridges between our two peoples and drawing us more closely into each other’s orbit. One of the joys of a trip like this is the opportunity it gives me to meet you, to be amazed at the paths that brought you here, the diversity of your lives and your ongoing care for Ireland.
I thank Ambassador Scannell for hosting all of us and giving us this chance to enjoy each other’s company. I thank you for taking the time to join me here this evening and wish you every continued success as proud Irish ambassadors in Denmark.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
Mange tak.
Many thanks.