Minister Charlie Flanagan discusses legacy issues at political talks in Belfast
23 October 2014
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland met this morning in Belfast on the day the political talks moved to discuss legacy issues for the first time.
Minister Flanagan and the Secretary of State jointly met with the SDLP, Sinn Féin and the Alliance Party. In addition, Minister Flanagan met with the Ulster Unionist Party. In his meetings, the Minister reaffirmed his view that progress towards an agreement in the talks will require the full engagement of all of the NI Executive Parties, including the DUP.
“A fair, balanced, overarching framework for dealing with the past is a necessary element of reconciliation. It was the subject of intensive discussions during the talks last year chaired by Dr Richard Haass and considerable progress was made during that time. We need now to build on that work. My meetings today allowed for useful exchanges on this most sensitive and complex issue. I remain determined to press for an ambitious and comprehensive outcome to the talks because I believe that this is in the best interests of all of the people of Northern Ireland today, tomorrow and into the future.”
The talks resume again in Belfast next Wednesday, 29 October.
ENDS
Press Office
23 October 2014
