13/12/2001

NI leaders in first meeting with British Prime Minister

The First and Deputy First Ministers of the Northern Ireland assembly have met with the British Prime Minister.

Held in Downing Street the meeting is the first in a series of joint talks centring on devolved government.

It is understood that the talks, the first to be held since the recent election of Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble as First Minister and nationalist SDLP leader Mark Durkan as Deputy First Minister, were wide-ranging. Issues discussed included the devolved administration and the institutions.

Prior to the meeting Mr Durkan, who paid tribute to Mr Blair’s commitment to the peace process at a meeting on Wednesday evening, said that he was keen to discuss further efforts to build the peace.

The Ministers are due to meet with Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowan next week to discuss the north-south components of the Good Friday Agreement.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness also met with Tony Blair on Thursday. Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Adams said that the talks would focus on British dirty tricks, policing, and alleged security force collusion with loyalist paramilitaries. (SP)

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