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| George Mitchell tells Northern Ireland's parties to compromise | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Hillary Clinton and George Mitchell shared the stage on the first day of the conference to mark 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement | |
| Political parties in Northern Ireland must compromise to keep the peace and resolve the Stormont impasse, George Mitchell has said. | |
| The former US senator, who chaired the talks that led to the Good Friday Agreement, was speaking at an event to mark 25 years of the peace deal. | |
| He said people were still wrestling with their doubts and disagreements. | |
| Mr Mitchell said the deal set an example for peace around the world and urged people not to let it "slip away". | |
| "It is not a sign of weakness to resolve your differences by democratic and peaceful means," said Mr Mitchell. | |
| "To the contrary, it is a sign of strength and of wisdom, and it clearly reflects the will of the overwhelming majority of the people of Northern Ireland." | |
| Senator Mitchell called on the people of Northern Ireland not to give up on their belief the future could be better. | |
| He also urged the current political leaders to act with the "courage and wisdom" that their predecessors had done. | He also urged the current political leaders to act with the "courage and wisdom" that their predecessors had done. |
| Former US senator George Mitchell addresses peace event | Former US senator George Mitchell addresses peace event |
| Former US senator George Mitchell addresses peace event | Former US senator George Mitchell addresses peace event |
| The three-day Agreement 25 conference at Queen's University Belfast is hosting many global figures, including Bill and Hillary Clinton. | |
| Speaking earlier, Hillary Clinton said the Good Friday Agreement was a triumph of diplomacy and a testament to democracy. | |
| The former US secretary of state, who is chancellor of Queen's University, said the credit for peace ultimately went to the brave people of Northern Ireland who took risks. | |
| Sir Tony Blair, who is also in Belfast for the conference, said the deal's institutions need continually worked at to secure them for the future. | |
| 'Old sores' | 'Old sores' |
| The peace accord was designed to bring an end to 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles. | The peace accord was designed to bring an end to 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles. |
| It was signed by Sir Tony and his Irish counterpart at the time, Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Bertie Ahern. | It was signed by Sir Tony and his Irish counterpart at the time, Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Bertie Ahern. |
| Mr Ahern told the BBC that barriers were broken down to secure the peace deal. | Mr Ahern told the BBC that barriers were broken down to secure the peace deal. |
| "We had the right mix of people and because we were at it night and day for eight or nine months, if not for a number of years before that," he told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster. | "We had the right mix of people and because we were at it night and day for eight or nine months, if not for a number of years before that," he told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster. |
| Live updates: Clintons, Blair and Ahern at Good Friday Agreement event | |
| Sir Tony Blair said the personal relationship he had with Mr Ahern helped them get "over old sores" that the British and Irish governments faced. | Sir Tony Blair said the personal relationship he had with Mr Ahern helped them get "over old sores" that the British and Irish governments faced. |
| "We were both in the European Union together," he said. | "We were both in the European Union together," he said. |
| "All of that was very important in making sure that when we hit a roadblock there was a massive collected desire to make sure that we removed it." | "All of that was very important in making sure that when we hit a roadblock there was a massive collected desire to make sure that we removed it." |
| The settlement established power-sharing institutions at Stormont that involved nationalists and unionists governing Northern Ireland together. | The settlement established power-sharing institutions at Stormont that involved nationalists and unionists governing Northern Ireland together. |
| Has much changed since world leaders and local politicians last met at Queen's University in 2018 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement? | Has much changed since world leaders and local politicians last met at Queen's University in 2018 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement? |
| The political deadlock that existed five years ago is back again, albeit for a different reason. | The political deadlock that existed five years ago is back again, albeit for a different reason. |
| Former prime ministers and presidents will want to caveat their language carefully and avoid direct criticism when it comes to the Democratic Unionist Party's continuing absence from power sharing. | |
| The absence of some major players will be felt however. | The absence of some major players will be felt however. |
| Former UUP leader David Trimble and SDLP stalwarts John Hume and Seamus Mallon have passed away in the last three years. | Former UUP leader David Trimble and SDLP stalwarts John Hume and Seamus Mallon have passed away in the last three years. |
| A special memorial session is expected to take place allowing tributes to be paid to those who are no longer here. | A special memorial session is expected to take place allowing tributes to be paid to those who are no longer here. |
| The conference from 17 to 19 April features speeches and panel discussions from former and current political leaders. | The conference from 17 to 19 April features speeches and panel discussions from former and current political leaders. |
| It is being held at a time when Northern Ireland is without a power-sharing government. | It is being held at a time when Northern Ireland is without a power-sharing government. |
| Its second-largest party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), collapsed the Stormont executive in February 2022 over its opposition to the trade arrangements for Northern Ireland that resulted from the original Brexit deal between the UK and the EU. | Its second-largest party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), collapsed the Stormont executive in February 2022 over its opposition to the trade arrangements for Northern Ireland that resulted from the original Brexit deal between the UK and the EU. |
| The Clintons have frequently reiterated their support for the peace process, with Bill Clinton making three trips to Northern Ireland during his presidency. | The Clintons have frequently reiterated their support for the peace process, with Bill Clinton making three trips to Northern Ireland during his presidency. |
| Prof Ian Greer, vice-chancellor of Queen's University, said this week's conference offered the "opportunity to reflect upon and recognise the achievements of 25 years ago". | Prof Ian Greer, vice-chancellor of Queen's University, said this week's conference offered the "opportunity to reflect upon and recognise the achievements of 25 years ago". |
| He said the agreement had "led to significant progress in Northern Ireland, delivering greater prosperity and a safer and more inclusive society". | He said the agreement had "led to significant progress in Northern Ireland, delivering greater prosperity and a safer and more inclusive society". |
| "We also want to look forward to how we address the major issues impacting society today so we can build on the current peace over the next 25 years." | "We also want to look forward to how we address the major issues impacting society today so we can build on the current peace over the next 25 years." |
| What is the Good Friday Agreement? | What is the Good Friday Agreement? |
| The prime minister at the time, Tony Blair, and then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern sign the Good Friday Agreement | The prime minister at the time, Tony Blair, and then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern sign the Good Friday Agreement |
| Also known as the Belfast Agreement, it was a political deal designed to bring an end to 30 years of violent conflict known as the Troubles. | Also known as the Belfast Agreement, it was a political deal designed to bring an end to 30 years of violent conflict known as the Troubles. |
| Signed on 10 April 1998 and approved by public votes in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, it is based on the idea of co-operation between communities. | Signed on 10 April 1998 and approved by public votes in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, it is based on the idea of co-operation between communities. |
| It helped to set up a new government for Northern Ireland, representing both nationalists and unionists. | It helped to set up a new government for Northern Ireland, representing both nationalists and unionists. |
| Read more: What is the Good Friday Agreement? | Read more: What is the Good Friday Agreement? |
| Last week US President Joe Biden visited the island of Ireland over four days to mark the 25th anniversary of the agreement. | Last week US President Joe Biden visited the island of Ireland over four days to mark the 25th anniversary of the agreement. |
| He hailed the "tremendous progress" since the deal was signed, adding that Northern Ireland had been "transformed by peace; made technicolour by peace; made whole by peace". | He hailed the "tremendous progress" since the deal was signed, adding that Northern Ireland had been "transformed by peace; made technicolour by peace; made whole by peace". |
| Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will also be in Northern Ireland this week, to pay tribute to the contribution young people have made to peace. | Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will also be in Northern Ireland this week, to pay tribute to the contribution young people have made to peace. |
| Among those events will be a gala dinner to honour those who signed the deal. | Among those events will be a gala dinner to honour those who signed the deal. |
| Read more about the agreement | Read more about the agreement |
| EXPLAINER: What is the agreement? | EXPLAINER: What is the agreement? |
| ANALYSIS: Is it still fit for purpose? | ANALYSIS: Is it still fit for purpose? |
| REFLECTION: The 'bitter' price of peace | REFLECTION: The 'bitter' price of peace |
| Mr Sunak said he was due to meet some of the leading architects behind the peace agreement. | Mr Sunak said he was due to meet some of the leading architects behind the peace agreement. |
| He will acknowledge their "courage, imagination and perseverance" when he gives the closing speech at the conference. | He will acknowledge their "courage, imagination and perseverance" when he gives the closing speech at the conference. |
| Declan Harvey and Tara Mills explore the text of the Good Friday Agreement, scrutinising the deal's wording and hearing from some of the people who helped get it across the line. | Declan Harvey and Tara Mills explore the text of the Good Friday Agreement, scrutinising the deal's wording and hearing from some of the people who helped get it across the line. |
| Click here to listen on BBC Sounds. | Click here to listen on BBC Sounds. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Bill Clinton | Bill Clinton |
| Tony Blair | Tony Blair |
| The Troubles | The Troubles |
| Rishi Sunak | Rishi Sunak |
| Hillary Clinton | Hillary Clinton |
| Good Friday Agreement | Good Friday Agreement |