Response By President Mary McAleese to welcome by the Governor General Ottawa, 4 October 1998
Response By President Mary McAleese to welcome by the Governor General Ottawa, 4 October 1998
J’aimerais d’abord vous remercier de votre acceuil si chalereux, pour votre invitation de venir ici au Canada et de vous exprimer ma joie d’etre parmi vous aujourd’hui.
This is the first full State Visit to Canada by an Irish President, and it reflects the fact that our relations have never been closer or more friendly.
Ireland and Canada share a common outlook on many of the world’s problems, including respect for the United Nations, for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, for the involvement of the international community in peacekeeping, and for human rights. We have recently cooperated closely on the Canadian initiative which led to the Ottawa Agreement outlawing landmines.
I very much look forward on this visit to seeing as much of Canada as possible, getting some idea of the diversity and resources of this great country, and meeting some of its people. I have already visited Prince Edward Island and will be visiting, among other places, your own Province of New Brunswick.