Speaking at Queen’s University Belfast, Secretary of State Karen Bradley MP reflected on the progress made since the Belfast Agreement was signed 20 years ago.
It’s a great pleasure for me to be here today, at one of Northern Ireland’s two outstanding Universities, as we mark the twentieth anniversary of the Belfast or Good Friday Agreement reached on 10 April 1998.
And it’s a great honour as a relatively new Secretary of State to be alongside so many of the people who helped to shape history on that day, as we have just seen in the incredibly powerful video.
Let’s be in no doubt. The Agreement that was reached twenty years ago was one of historic magnitude, a landmark in the history of Northern Ireland, of Ireland and of these islands.
It was an occasion when politics triumphed over the division and violence that had torn Northern Ireland apart over the preceding two decades.
So on behalf of the UK Government I would like to reiterate our sincerest thanks to those who helped make 10 April 1998 a reality.
People like John Major and Albert Reynolds who began the process in the early 90s and Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern who saw it through its conclusion in 1998.
From the United States, President Bill Clinton and Senator George Mitchell who made such an important contribution and who I am delighted to see receive the 83RD and 84TH Freedom of the City.
And of course to Northern Ireland’s political leaders, people like David Trimble, John Hume and others, on all sides whose courage, vision and leadership in 1998 should continue to be an inspiration to all of us in Northern Ireland today.
There’s little doubt that as a result of the Agreement Northern Ireland has taken huge strides forward in the past twenty years.
The security situation transformed.
The economy growing.
Unemployment at record lows.
Tourism booming.
Exports thriving.
And, yes, the world’s most popular TV show, Game of Thrones!
So let’s not be shy in celebrating the successes of the past twenty years.
But let’s also be realistic and recognise that there remain huge challenges.
We still face the real threat from dissidents.
Society remains too divided.
Our economy is too dependent on the public sector.
We still need to address the past.
And, we have been absolutely clear in our commitment to avoiding a hard border and no border down the Irish Sea. We’ve begun discussions between Ireland, the EU and the UK on this and we look forward to making progress together.
And, of course, there is making sure that devolution here is restored so that Northern Ireland has a properly functioning Executive and Assembly so that local decisions are in local hands.
So be assured, the restoration of devolution is the UK Government’s number one political priority, as I know it is of the Irish Government and Simon Coveney with whom I work so closely.
The commitment of both our respective governments to the Belfast Agreement remains steadfast.
And if there was ever any doubt as to why the Agreement is as relevant today as it was twenty years ago then we just had such a powerful reminder with the film of those young people we have just seen.
Because at the heart and centre of all that we do in honouring and implementing the Agreement is to build a stronger society and a more secure future, not just for this generation but for generations to come. Only today I had the pleasure of visiting Sullivan Upper School in Holywood and speaking to the young students, the first post-agreement generation, about their hopes for the future.
That’s what motivated those who made the Agreement and it’s what should motivate everyone in Northern Ireland today.
To spread prosperity and opportunity for all.
To re-establish political stability.
And to build a Northern Ireland which everyone is proud to call home. A Northern Ireland fit for the future.
Earlier today the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley MP (above) reaffirmed the commitment of the UK Government to the 1988 Agreement. Speaking after her bilateral meeting this afternoon with An Tánaiste, Simon Coveney TD, Ms Bradley said:
“The Agreement reached on 10 April 1998 offered the prospect of a new beginning for relationships within Northern Ireland; between Northern Ireland and Ireland; and throughout these islands.
On this, the 20th anniversary of that historic Belfast Agreement, the United Kingdom Government welcomes the peace and stability that has been achieved in Northern Ireland. The bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland has never been stronger.
The 1998 Agreement and its successors have been the bedrock of political progress in Northern Ireland over the past two decades. The UK Government remains committed to working together with the Irish Government, in full accordance with the well-established three-stranded approach to Northern Ireland affairs, to ensure that the Agreement is fully protected and implemented.
This means upholding the core principles that there can be no change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland without the consent of a majority of people who live there; inclusive devolved government; North-South co-operation and the strongest bilateral relationship between the UK and Ireland; and the protection of people’s rights, culture and identity.
The current political impasse in Northern Ireland and the absence of a fully functioning devolved Executive and Assembly is deeply regrettable. The UK and Irish Governments remain fully committed to the restoration of devolved government at the earliest possible opportunity and will do whatever we can, in accordance with the three-stranded approach, to achieving that.
A huge amount has been achieved in Northern Ireland over the past twenty years: politically, socially, economically, and of course in respect of the security situation. There is, however, still much work to be done. Today, we take inspiration from those who took enormous risks, on all sides, to reach an accommodation twenty years ago.
The UK Government reaffirms its commitment to building a shared society in Northern Ireland that works for everyone. We also remember those who were killed or injured during the Troubles. We also recall the sacrifice of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Armed Forces in upholding democracy and the rule of law. We will never forget the debt that we owe them.
The UK Government continues to believe that the best way we can honour them, as well as discharge our obligations to this and future generations, is through the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement, along with its successors, to achieve a stronger, more prosperous and united Northern Ireland. We want to build a Northern Ireland that is fit for the future.
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