Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell will make his first official visit to Ireland today.
His visit is at the invitation of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and could lead to closer ties between Dublin and Edinburgh.
It is expected that an official joint declaration will be agreed between the two countries. This will seek to build on the strong ties that already exist and agree to work more closely in the fields of science and education.
It will also look for ways in which the two governments can work with Northern Ireland as they look to restore their devolved Executive.
The one-day event will include a meeting with Mr Ahern and a visit to the Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research at University College Dublin.
Mr McConnell has made private visits to Ireland before, including a trip in 2004 to see the country's smoking ban come into force.
PA