New Ambassadors present Credentials

New Ambassadors present Credentials

Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Croatia, and the Republic of Belarus presented their Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today.

His Excellency Mr. Mikhail Timoshkin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ireland, was accompanied by Mr. Viacheslav Nikiforov, Minister-Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, and Colonel Vitaly N. Belashenko, Defence Attaché, of the Embassy of the Russian Federation.

His Excellency Mr. Veselko Grubišić, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Ireland, was accompanied by Mr. Josip Starcevic, Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Croatia.

His Excellency Mr. Aleksandr Mikhnevich, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Ireland was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Tatyana Mikhnevich and Ms. Anzela Koreliouk, Political Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus.

The following were also present at the ceremony: Mr. Sean Haughey T.D.,

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science; Mr. Brian McCarthy, Secretary General to the President; Mr. Colm Ó Floinn, Deputy Political Director, Department of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Joe Brennan, Deputy Chief of Protocol; Mr. Tom Bolster, Deputy Chief of Protocol; Ms. Sonya McGuinness, Assistant Chief of Protocol at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Ambassadors were escorted to and from Áras an Uachtaráin by an Escort of Honour consisting of a motorcycle detachment drawn from the 2^nd Cavalry Squadron, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, under the command of Lieutenant Kieran Dillon.

The Guard of Honour at Áras an Uachtaráin was provided by the 4^th Infantry Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Paul Holohan.

The Army No. 1 Band was conducted by Lieutenant Brian Prendergast.

18 December 2006

ENDS