The President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, is in Dublin for a two day visit.
Mr Morales’ trip to Ireland is intended to strengthen ties between Ireland and Bolivia, and a meeting between President Morales and Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan is due to take place this afternoon.
The meeting is also likely to focus on trade, climate change and political links between Ireland and the South American country.
Minister Flanagan said: “I welcome this historic visit – the first by a Head of State from Bolivia – and I hope that President Morales trip to Ireland will assist our efforts to strengthen relations with Bolivia and Latin America more generally.
“Links between our two countries have grown in recent years – not least in the area of trade, which is increasing steadily, albeit from a low base,” he said.
“I am also conscious of the important role played by Bolivia on the global stage in areas such as climate change and sustainable development and I look forward to discussing these with the President,” Minister Flanagan added.
Minister Flanagan is also expected to raise the case of Michael Dwyer, the Irishman killed by Bolivian security forces in 2009, during the meeting.
A spokesperson for the Dywer family said they have requested a meeting with President Morales, and they believe they will at least get to meet a high level member of the Presidential delegation during the visit to discuss what happened to their son and brother.
Mr Morales will also meet President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin during his visit.
Ireland is the final stop for President Morales on a programme which also includes France, Germany and Italy.