Brown holds first talks with new Irish PM
DUBLIN (AFP) — Ireland's new Prime Minister Brian Cowen was to hold his first talks with his British counterpart Gordon Brown Thursday at an investment conference in Northern Ireland, his office said.
The two premiers were to have a "summit" meeting in the sidelines of the Belfast conference, aimed at boosting the economy of the long-troubled British-ruled province.
"I am delighted that on my first full day in office, I will be meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, First Minister Ian Paisley and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness," Cowen said in a statement before the meeting.
The Taoiseach (prime minister) was also to meet with US Special Envoy Paula Dobriansky, New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Paisley's successor-in-waiting Peter Robinson and top US and Northern Irish political and business leaders.
A landmark accord last year between Catholic and Protestant parties led to the return of self-government in Northern Ireland, where over 3,000 people died in three decades of the so-called Troubles before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
Cowen and Brown were expected to review progress in Northern Ireland and to reaffirm Ireland and Britain's commitment to the peace process and to building prosperity as the province emerges from decades of conflict.
"They will also reflect on the bilateral relationship between Ireland and Britain and discuss key European and global issues," the statement from Cowen's office said.
"Taoiseach is expected to stress the government's commitment to the development of the all-island economy."
After he was elected prime minister by the Dail (lower house of parliament) on Wednesday Cowen said it was appropriate that on his first working day he would have the "opportunity to advance relationships and deepen engagement, both on a North-South and an East-West basis."
He said that consolidating peace in Northern Ireland through economic development and mutual understanding would have his "full engagement and whole-hearted support".
The investment conference was a "timely reminder that our destiny on this island cannot be secured in isolation from the rest of the world," he said.
