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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
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| Belfast conference: Political institutions 'rock solid' | Belfast conference: Political institutions 'rock solid' |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| The Northern Ireland peace process and political institutions are rock solid, the deputy first minister has said. | The Northern Ireland peace process and political institutions are rock solid, the deputy first minister has said. |
| Martin McGuinness was speaking at a reception at Hillsborough Castle in County Down. | Martin McGuinness was speaking at a reception at Hillsborough Castle in County Down. |
| It marked the opening of a major international investment conference in Northern Ireland. | It marked the opening of a major international investment conference in Northern Ireland. |
| Secretary of State Theresa Villiers told foreign investors that Northern Ireland "enjoys a degree of political stability not seen for half a century". | Secretary of State Theresa Villiers told foreign investors that Northern Ireland "enjoys a degree of political stability not seen for half a century". |
| The conference is being hosted by the first and deputy first ministers and is being attended by 150 potential and existing inward investors. | The conference is being hosted by the first and deputy first ministers and is being attended by 150 potential and existing inward investors. |
| The main event is on Friday when Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to address the delegates. | The main event is on Friday when Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to address the delegates. |
| On Thursday night, Mr McGuinness said: "Where you are now is a completely different place from what life was like here 20 years ago and that peace process. | |
| "The Northern Ireland peace process is rock solid, totally secure, as are the institutions." | |
| Mr Robinson said would-be investors had an opportunity to help the peace process. He said the future was a hopeful one. | Mr Robinson said would-be investors had an opportunity to help the peace process. He said the future was a hopeful one. |
| The investment conference comes as signs emerge that the Northern Ireland economy is recovering. | The investment conference comes as signs emerge that the Northern Ireland economy is recovering. |
| It opened on the day US engineering firm Terex Finlay announced it is creating 260 jobs in County Tyrone. | It opened on the day US engineering firm Terex Finlay announced it is creating 260 jobs in County Tyrone. |
| It is hoped that international investors can add to the momentum in the coming months and years. | It is hoped that international investors can add to the momentum in the coming months and years. |
| The conference is the first event of its kind in Northern Ireland, since the global downturn began in 2008. | The conference is the first event of its kind in Northern Ireland, since the global downturn began in 2008. |
| Earlier, Finance Minister Simon Hamilton said he hoped the conference would help to build on previous successes and "take ourselves to another level economically". | Earlier, Finance Minister Simon Hamilton said he hoped the conference would help to build on previous successes and "take ourselves to another level economically". |
| "It's a great opportunity for Northern Ireland to showcase what we have to offer to the world," he said. | "It's a great opportunity for Northern Ireland to showcase what we have to offer to the world," he said. |
| "In the past we've had similar conferences which have, in the short to medium term, realised significant investment in Northern Ireland. | "In the past we've had similar conferences which have, in the short to medium term, realised significant investment in Northern Ireland. |
| "Some of those brand names have been able to appreciate the great offering we have and have built on their investment to create more jobs." | "Some of those brand names have been able to appreciate the great offering we have and have built on their investment to create more jobs." |
| Speaking ahead of the conference, First Minister Peter Robinson said: "The investment conference is a direct result of the very positive impression made by Northern Ireland at the G8 summit in June. | Speaking ahead of the conference, First Minister Peter Robinson said: "The investment conference is a direct result of the very positive impression made by Northern Ireland at the G8 summit in June. |
| "It is a great chance for us to capitalise on that and ensure that Northern Ireland retains a high profile worldwide." | "It is a great chance for us to capitalise on that and ensure that Northern Ireland retains a high profile worldwide." |