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Politicians must fulfill the promise of the Good Friday Agreement to achieve reconciliation, not just peace, the Taoiseach has said. Leo Varadkar has spoken of the unfinished legacy of the 1998 deal as he reflects on the upcoming 25th anniversary of the deal that largely ended the conflict in Northern Ireland. At the traditional St. Patrick's Day luncheon on Capitol Hill, hosted this year by new President Kevin McCarthy, the Irish Prime Minister hailed the conclusion of the deal aimed at breaking the 30-year cycle of violence in Northern Ireland.
"Now we must complete this work to fulfill the agreement's promise not only of peace but also of reconciliation, to build a shared island together," he said.
"I know that the people of Northern Ireland want their political assembly and devolved government to function again, and their politicians to work to improve their lives.
“A lot has been accomplished since 1998. Today, new generations of young people are growing up with no memory of the conflict their parents went through, and as someone who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s when political violence was an almost daily occurrence, it's something for which I am deeply grateful.
Varadkar said ending the political deadlock caused by disputes over Northern Ireland's Brexit protocol could bring great economic prosperity to the region.
The Taoiseach highlighted the potential he saw in the new Windsor framework set up by the EU and the UK.
"I think there are now incredible opportunities for economic development in Northern Ireland, particularly with the potential of the Windsor Framework recently agreed with the European Commission and the UK Government," he said.
"Our task now is to fulfill this mission of helping the people of Northern Ireland to build together a more peaceful and prosperous future."
PA wire
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