His Excellency, Georgios Stilianopoulos, Ambassador of Greece, and His Excellency, Zhao Xiyuan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China presented their Letters of Credence to President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
His Excellency, Georgios Stilianopoulos, Ambassador of Greece, was accompanied by his spouse Mrs. Mami Stilianopoulou, and Mr. Michael Karabalis, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Greece.
His Excellency, Zhao Xiyuan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, was accompanied by his spouse, Ms. Li Yi, his daughter Miss Zhao Zhiyi and Mr. Yang Tong, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
Ms Emer Higgins, T.D., Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment represented the Government.
The following were also present: Ms. Orla O’ Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President; Mr. Colm Hayes, Director General, Global and Economic Division, Department of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Ralph Victory, Deputy Chief of Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs; Col. Stephen Howard, Comdt. Brian Walsh, Captain Austin Doyle, and Capt. Pol O’Donnell, Aides-de-Camp to the President; and Mr. Joe Brennan, Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Ambassadors were accompanied to and from Áras an Uachtaráin by an Escort of Honour consisting of a motorcycle detachment drawn from the 2 Brigade Cavalry Squadron, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, under the command of Lieutenant Stephen Meehan.
A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by the 7th Infantry Battalion, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin under the command of Lieutenant Harry O’Neill.
Lieutenant Jack Regan from the 7th Infantry Battalion, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin was the flag officer.
Captain Tom Kelly conducted the No. 1 Army Band, which is based in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin.
