President Dmitry Medvedev and Irish President Mary McAleese on Thursday discussed various aspects of Russian-Irish cooperation, including trade, economic and humanitarian ties, and prospects for their development. "This is a momentous event because it is the first visit of the President of Ireland to Russia since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries", President Medvedev said at the beginning of the meeting. The Russian leader expressed the hope that the visit of the President of Ireland to Russia will be interesting and productive.

The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, will lead an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Russia early September. Details of the visit are typically under wraps for security reasons but the large business delegation accompanying the president includes Mr Billy Kelleher, T.D. Minister for Trade & Commerce and Mr Frank Ryan, CEO, Enterprise Ireland.