Ahern to mark agreement anniversary

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has announced he is to make a major speech later this week to mark the 10th anniversary of the signing…

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has announced he is to make a major speech later this week to mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Belfast Agreement.

Mr Ahern is to address a conference in University College Dublin, organised by the Institute of British Irish Studies and entitled From Conflict to Consensus the Legacy of the Good Friday Agreement, on Thursday.

"The Good Friday Agreement was a momentous milestone in the history of Ireland," Mr Ahern said in a statement today. "The 10th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the enormous progress made since 1998 and the future of relations on these islands."

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Shaun Woodward and other leading commentators will also be speaking.

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Mr Ahern is to host a special gala dinner in Dublin next week honouring former British prime minister Tony Blair for his role in brokering the agreement. The dinner in Dublin Castle will be attended by Senator George Mitchell, another instrumental figure in securing the accord.

Former US president Bill Clinton last month cancelled plans to attend a series of events throughout Ireland marking the anniversary, citing his pressing schedule in his wife's campaign