{"id":22904,"date":"2021-08-26T10:43:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-26T14:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=22904"},"modified":"2021-08-29T10:46:47","modified_gmt":"2021-08-29T14:46:47","slug":"macron-ireland-occupies-a-precious-place-in-the-heart-of-the-european-dream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=22904","title":{"rendered":"Macron: Ireland ‘Occupies A Precious Place In The Heart Of The European Dream”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The French president is on a one-day visit to Dublin (PA)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

French president Emmanuel Macron has been welcomed to Ireland by President Michael D Higgins at \u00c1ras an Uachtar\u00e1in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writing in the guestbook, Mr Macron said Ireland \u201coccupies a precious place in the heart of the European dream\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said France will \u201cremain a faithful friend\u201d to Ireland in future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He wrote: \u201cBecause Ireland has constantly struggled in favor of peace, was a land of the silent before it became the land of the welcome, because its society showed solidarity and is open, Ireland occupies a precious place in the heart of the European dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour invitation on this day to meet the minds which shape Ireland is a great honor and a source of inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrance is your closest neighbor within the European Union and will remain a faithful friend for the future. In confidence, Emmanuel Macron.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Macron arrived at the president\u2019s residence in Dublin\u2019s Phoenix Park at around 10.30am on Thursday, accompanied by his wife Brigitte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two presidents discussed a range of topics including the future of the European Union post-Brexit, social Europe, Africa, and the global Covid-19 vaccination program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate change and the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Haiti were also on the agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An \u00c1ras statement said: \u201cThe meeting builds on the very close and positive bilateral relationship between the two countries, a partnership based on the shared European values of tolerance, respect for human rights and a commitment to multilateral co-operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPresident Higgins stressed his support for a social Europe, and the need to develop new connections between economics, ethics and ecology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPresident Higgins thanked President Macron for his continuing support for Ireland, our shared ideals in the European Union and France\u2019s assistance in relation to our citizens in Afghanistan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Army Number One band of the Irish Defense Forces performed the Irish and French national anthems on the arrival of Mr Macron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two men later walked out of the garden side of \u00c1ras an Uachtar\u00e1in and down a gravel path, often laughing as they spoke at length in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Higgins asked Mr Macron to ring the Peace Bell, which was inaugurated by former president Mary McAleese to mark the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Macron pulled on the blue satin cord three times and rang the bell loudly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Higgins\u2019s two dogs, Br\u00f3d and Misneach, who have become somewhat famous in Ireland, then came bounding out to greet the pair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Higgins joked \u201cthis is an experienced diplomat, he is nine years old\u201d, as he spoke about Br\u00f3d, the older of his two Bernese Mountain dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also told Mr Macron that Misneach means \u201ccourage\u201d in Irish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Macron\u2019s delegation included foreign affairs minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, finance minister Bruno Le Maire, European affairs minister Clement Beaune and the French ambassador to Ireland, Vincent Guerend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his one-day tour of Dublin, Mr Macron will meet Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin, and visit Trinity College and the Guinness Enterprise Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It fulfils part of an election pledge by Mr Macron to visit all 27 EU member states, with Ireland one of only four countries yet to be crossed off his list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a working lunch with Mr Martin, Brexit, the future of the EU, Covid-19 and the ongoing situation in Afghanistan are expected to be on the agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The State\u2019s reluctance to sign up to a global corporate tax rate of 15 per cent will also feature, with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe to hold discussions with his counterpart Mr Le Maire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Macron and the Taoiseach will host a joint press conference following the lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later, Mr Macron will return to \u00c1ras an Uachtar\u00e1in, where Mr Higgins will host a reception in his honor.<\/p>\n

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