merrion street

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Charles Flanagan T.D., will meet the President of the Plurinational Republic of Bolivia, Evo Morales, in Dublin on Saturday (7 November). President Morales will be on an historic two-day visit to Ireland - the first to Ireland by a Head of State from the South American country.
The visit is intended to strengthen ties between Ireland and Bolivia and the meeting between Minister Flanagan and President Morales is likely to focus on trade and political links and issues such as climate change. Minister Flanagan will also raise the case of Michael Dwyer, the Irishman killed by Bolivian security forces in 2009.
‘I welcome this historic visit - the first by a Head of State from Bolivia - and I hope that President Morales trip to Ireland will assist our efforts to strengthen relations with Bolivia and Latin America more generally,’ Minister Flanagan said.
‘Links between our two countries have grown in recent years – not least in the area of trade, which is increasing steadily, albeit from a low base. I am also conscious of the important role played by Bolivia on the global stage in areas such as climate change and sustainable development and I look forward to discussing these with the President.
‘I will also take the opportunity of President Morales’ visit to raise at the highest political level the case of Michael Dwyer, who died tragically in Bolivia in 2009 and whose family is anxious to establish the facts surrounding his death.’
While in Ireland President Morales will also meet President Michael D. Higgins and visit a dairy processing plant, as well as attending an event with the Bolivian community. An agreement will also be signed between Bolivia and Ireland’s Higher Education Authority on cooperation on Higher Education between the two countries.
Ireland is the final stop for President Morales on a programme which also includes France, Germany and Italy.