Stormont leaders meet Obama
First Minster Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have met Barack Obama
Wednesday March 17 2010
Northern Ireland's political leaders have met US president Barack Obama in Washington and praised his continued support for the peace process.
First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness met Mr Obama at the White House as part of the annual St Patrick's Day political engagements.
The ministers said they briefed the president on recent political developments including the Assembly vote to transfer policing and justice powers from Westminster.
The politicians, who both sported green ties for the White House visit, thanked Mr Obama for his continued support, and discussed the US administration's efforts to secure further American investment in Northern Ireland.
Mr Robinson said: "Today's meeting with the president reaffirms once again the commitment of the US administration to Northern Ireland. The president outlined his support for the transfer of policing and justice powers and discussed his government's continued involvement in the economic development of Northern Ireland.
"We also reiterated our determination not to be deterred from building a peaceful and prosperous society. The stability we are building undermines dissident activity. That stands whether we are talking about political dissidents or paramilitary dissidents. A stable, peaceful and prosperous society is the antithesis of everything these people stand for."
Mr McGuinness said: "The Obama administration has always provided us with its full backing as we worked towards building a stable political foundation in the North of Ireland, and on that foundation we intend to fashion further economic and social progress.
"The Hillsborough Agreement provided us with an opportunity for a new start. The creation of jobs and the underpinning of the peace process are intertwined and it is vital that we focus our efforts to ensure no community is left behind and all benefit from the prosperity that we are striving to create for all our people.
"We welcome the plans for the economic conference and took the opportunity during our meeting with the president to lobby for further support for the International Fund for Ireland which has already made such a positive impact on the lives of so many of our people."
Earlier in the day the ministers addressed business and political leaders at the annual St Patrick's Day Northern Ireland Bureau breakfast.
