THE PALESTINIAN president Mahmoud Abbas is to visit Ireland next weekend following an invitation from Tánaiste Simon Coveney.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs extended the invitation to President Abbas during a visit to Ramallah in January, during which the Tánaiste “assured him that he would receive a warm welcome from the Irish people”.
President Abbas and a delegation from Palestine are to stop in Ireland ahead of their attendance at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York.
As well as meeting the Tánaiste, President Abbas will visit President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin.
Among the topics on the agenda during President Abbas’ visit are the future of the Middle East peace process, the humanitarian and security situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the funding crisis for UNRWA – the UN relief agency for Palestine.
Minister Coveney made three visits to Palestine and Israel this year, during which he reiterated Ireland’s support for a two-state solution.
