New Ambassadors present Credentials

An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha               Preas Ráiteas

Department of Foreign Affairs                Press Release

Preas Oifig, Teach Uibh Eachach, Faiche Stiabhna, Baile Átha Cliath 2

Press Office, Iveagh House, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.

                        Tel:       353 -1- 478 0822                     Fax:      353 -1- 478 5942 / 475 7476

               Idirlíon/Internet:  www.dfa.ie               Ríomh Phost/E-mail: press.office@dfa.ie

 New Ambassadors present Credentials

Their Excellencies the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia, the Ambassador of Finland, the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia and the British Ambassador presented their Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today. 

H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Aldriss, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was accompanied by HRH Prince Turki bin Nawaf Al Saud and Mr. Abdullah Al Abdan, Counsellor at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia.

H.E. Mr. Vidmantas Purlys, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Dita Purliėne and Mrs. Natalija Bacevičiene, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Lithuanian Embassy.  

H.E. Mr. Pēteris Kārlis Elferts, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Anta Spunde and their daughters, Ms Justine Elferte and Ms Zelma Elferte. Also present was Ms. Jelena Lobzova, First Secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia.

H.E. Mr. Pertti Majanen, Ambassador of Finland was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Tuija Majanen and by Mr. Rolf Johansson, Counsellor at the Embassy of Finland. 

H.E. Mrs. Jasna Geršak, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia was accompanied by her husband, Mr. Boris Geršak and by Ms. Lea Stančič, Counsellor at the Embassy of Slovenia.

H.E. Mr. Julian King, British Ambassador to Ireland was accompanied by his wife, Ms Lotte Knudsen and by the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy, Mr. Andrew Staunton.    

Mr. Dick Roche T.D., Minister for European Affairs represented the Government at the ceremony.

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

The Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by troops drawn from the Defence Forces Training Camp, Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare under the command of Lieutenant Aisling O’Regan. The Army No. 1 Band was conducted by Comdt Fergal Carroll.

Ends+++

11 September 2009

Press Office