former US President Bill Clinton has thanked the Irish people for helping him forge a new life after his presidency.
President Clinton set up The Clinton Foundation in 2001 following the end of his two-term tenure, its work focusing in emerging entrepreneurs and helping to tackle global problems such as poverty, climate change, and especially access to healthcare.
According to the foundation, its Health Access Initiative has provided access to HIV/Aids treatment to more than four million people worldwide.
“The Irish Government has long been a major contributor in the fight against HIV/Aids,” said President Clinton just before a meeting last week with the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore to discuss Ireland’s partnership with the Clinton Foundation.
He added: “They helped me begin my work, and their support is stronger than ever, in no small measure because of Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.
“I am grateful to the Tánaiste and Irish Aid for their help in fighting this epidemic.”
Commenting on the work of President Clinton and his foundation, the Tánaiste – who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade – said it has enabled the world to reduce the death rate associated with HIV and related illnesses by 20 per cent.
“This success is largely due to greater access to HIV treatment as a result of substantially lower costs. The Clinton Foundation, with help from Irish Aid, has been instrumental in shaping the markets to reduce the cost of these life-saving drugs.”
The Tánaiste said he was proud of the Clinton-Irish Aid partnership because it “is yielding results which we can see and measure and is dramatically improving the lives of millions of the most vulnerable people in Lesotho and Mozambique”.
Minister Gilmore assured President Clinton that Ireland remains fully committed to the global fight against HIV/Aids.
