President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen attended on 19 April the 'Agreement 25' conference in Belfast where she spoke about the future of peace in Northern Ireland and the friendship between the European Union and the United Kingdom.
On the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement, she paid tribute to and thanked the visionary leaders – of all communities in Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom and Ireland – who 'planted the seed of peace and possibility for new generations'.
"The people of Northern Ireland have shaped a new history. Decades of Troubles are impossible to forget. The past cannot be rewritten. But writing a new present and future is always a possibility," she stressed. "That is exactly what the people of Northern Ireland have decided to focus on. Being the master of your destiny."
President von der Leyen also spoke about the EU-UK relations and the need to jointly address the challenges ahead, and in particular the response to Russia's aggression on Ukraine. "The European Union and the United Kingdom are together in this: We both want to uphold Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We both want Russia's aggression to fail. And we both want to restore a just peace in Europe," she said, adding that the EU and the UK 'still see the world with the same eyes, and share the same values and sense of purpose.'
She also expressed gratitude to her British counterparts for finding workable solutions to the challenges that arose after Brexit, noting that the Windsor Framework was an opportunity to set the sight on the future of the EU-UK partnership and to focus on what brings the two partners together.
The President also touched upon the future, with an ambition to do more together 'with wisdom and vision.'
"Northern Ireland's GDP has more than doubled since 1998 and could increase by a further 50% over the next decade. New private investments are driving activities like fintech and cybersecurity. And more investors are now eyeing Northern Ireland. This is a unique opportunity for Northern Ireland."
She concluded with a message to the people of Northern Ireland. "Only you can make the seed of the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement continue to grow and flourish. Only you can take the next step on the path of prosperity and possibility," she said, adding that the EU would continue to accompany them on the path of peace and prosperity.
