President Michael D. Higgins accepted an invitation from President of the Hellenic Republic to undertake a State Visit to Greece. During his two-day visit on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd February the two heads, President Higgins and Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos, met with the Prime Minister Mr. Alexis Tsipras and the Mayor of Athens, Mr. Georgios Kaminis. On the second day, President Higgins addressed a breakfast meeting of Irish and Greek business leaders, at an event hosted by the Irish Ambassador in Greece, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, Enterprise Greece and BordBia, the Irish Food Board. Later that morning, President Higgins received an honorary Doctorate at the University of Athens. This was followed by a lecture by the Irish President on the ancient and enduring relationship between Ireland and Greece and their shared future.

The Irish President had also expressed his interest in visiting an olive oil mill during his visit in our country. Just before his departure on 24th February, Mr. Higgins travelled to Corinth to pay a visit to Markellos Olive Oil Mill where he was warmly welcomed by members of the Board, staff and local authority representatives. President Higgins, his wife Sabina, and the members of his entourage were given a tour in the state-of-the art production line of the olive oil mill and the surrounding olive groves, where they took the pleasure of being photographed in various settings.

President Higgins was given a selective Soligea Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil packaging engraved with his honorary title. Also, both the presidential couple and the accompanying members were offered gourmet sample tasting of our Soligea Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil and were very impressed by its fine taste and aromatic flavor.