Lunch hosted by H.E. Laura Chinchilla, President of Costa Rica

Lunch hosted by H.E. Laura Chinchilla, President of Costa Rica

Remarks by Michael D. Higgins President of Ireland

San José, Costa Rica

Monday, 28th October, 2013

Distinguida Presidenta de la República de Costa Rica, Sra. Laura Chinchilla Ministros y Embajadores Señoras y Señores,

Sabina y yo deseamos expresarles nuestro más sincero agradecimiento por la cálida y generosa hospitalidad que nos han brindado.

[Sabina and I wish thank you most sincerely for the warm and generous hospitality which you have extended to us.]

Since our arrival in Costa Rica, we have been overcome by the courtesy and generosity of all of those who have made us – and our entire delegation – feel so welcome and at home in your beautiful country.

I am truly delighted to have had this opportunity to meet today and to discuss with President Chinchilla the growing relationship between Ireland and Costa Rica and the issues which are of mutual interest and concern to us at this time.

Though far apart in geography and climate – other than perhaps our mutual experience of frequent rainfall – Ireland and Costa Rica have many more things in common than separate us.

In Ireland we take great pride in knowing that some familiar family names here in Costa Rica such as Amores and Cartín may have their roots in familiar Irish surnames such as Moore, Carthy or McCarthy; reminding us of the rich heritage our two countries share.

President Chinchilla,

Among the many achievements of which Costa Rica can be proud is its record on female participation in public life, not least your own election as President and the fact that 39% of your Parliament comprises women.

It is therefore very apt that the first Ambassadors exchanged between our two countries should be women. I wish to thank Embajadoras Saborio de Rocafort and Hyland for their work to date and wish them well in further advancing relations between our two countries.

Our talks today have shown how, working together, we can reinforce each other’s goals and objectives as we seek to achieve our mutual aims in respect of climate change and sustainable development, disarmament, human rights, and the delivery of real and inclusive growth for our two peoples.

We have an old Irish saying “Ní neart go cur le chéile”: there is no strength without unity. Let us continue to work together for a better, more secure and more equal world.

Es un gran honor y un enorme placer proponer este brindis:

“Por la Presidenta y por el Pueblo de la República de Costa Rica!”

Muchas gracias.

[It is both a great honour and a pleasure for me to propose a toast: to Presidenta and the people of Costa Rica.

Thank you.]

President Michael D. Higgins and Sabina being presented with flowers by two Coata Rican children while meeting with H.E. Laura Chinchilla, President of Costa Rica at the Presidential Offices in Costa Rica