Ireland’s Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Mr. Micheál Martin visit to Mexico
Ireland’s Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Mr. Micheál Martin, visited Mexico on the 8th and 9th of January, where he held a number of political and business-focused meetings, and hosted a cultural event for the Irish community. During the visit, he underlined the Government’s commitment to implementing its Latin American and Caribbean Strategy, which was launched last year.
On the economic front, the Tánaiste engaged with a number of major Irish companies active in the Mexican market. He toured Smurfit Kappa’s Cerro Gordo plant in Ecatepec, State of México, and laid the foundation stone of its new Community Centre, which offers support to 500 local children. He also visited ICON’s offices in Mexico, and met with Kerry Group’s senior leadership.
The Tánaiste also officially inaugurated the Embassy’s new Chancery premises in Polanco, and opened the Office for Central America. In addition, he visited a migrant reception centre supported by the Embassy in Mexico City, where he was briefed on the migration situation by several UN partner agencies.
The Tánaiste’s visit concluded with a reception hosted by Ambassador von Heynitz, where the Tánaiste addressed the Irish community at Museo Casa del Risco in San Ángel. He also announced Ireland’s incoming Ambassador to Mexico, Mr. Ruairí de Búrca, and the new Honorary Consuls of Ireland in Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Tijuana. Finally, the Tánaiste met with members of the San Patricios GAA club and inaugurated an exhibition dedicated to the San Patricio Battalion at the Museo Casa del Risco.