SENIOR politicians have reflected on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement at the British-Irish Council summit in Jersey.
The 39th summit saw First Minister Humza Yousaf join leaders from the UK Government, Ireland, Wales, the Channel Island nations of Jersey and Guernsey, and the Isle of Man.
No representatives from Northern Ireland were present due to the collapse of the power-sharing institutions at Stormont.
Yousaf was attending his first British-Irish Council summit since taking up his post, where he met Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
He said on Twitter: "The friendship between Scotland and Ireland is a long and enduring one between our nations and people, and one I am committed to strengthening.
"A real pleasure meeting with Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar and with Tánaiste @MichealMartinTD while in Jersey for British-Irish Council."
The official First Minister account said the meering had focused on "the strong links between Scotland and Ireland as well as options for future collaboration".
While in Jersey First Minister @HumzaYousaf had meetings with Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar and with Tánaiste @MichealMartinTD. Both meetings covered the strong links between Scotland and Ireland as well as options for future collaboration. pic.twitter.com/q3MH8WUqXz
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) June 16, 2023
Levelling Up Minister Michael Gove represented the Westminster Government in the absence of the Prime Minister.
Gove spoke of the “regret” that no representatives from Northern Ireland could attend the summit.
“I think everyone has expressed their regret both formally when the council are deliberating, but also conversations, that our friends in Northern Ireland, the elected representatives, haven’t been here.”
He added efforts by the Westminster Government were ongoing to try to “persuade all parties” in Northern Ireland about the need for movement to restore Stormont.
The summit included a visit to the Limes, an example of housing construction in Jersey, as the members focused on decarbonisation and sustainable building.
Kristina Moore, chief minister of the Jersey administration, told the press conference: “It has been a great honour for us to host the summit for the fifth time here in Jersey.
“And of course, it’s a really important opportunity for us all to reflect on 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement.”
She said “shared challenges” were discussed between the representatives.
Gove added: “I know there is a commitment on the whole Jersey government to making sure that both the affordability challenges that the island faces can be properly addressed but also that it’s done so in a way which is environmentally sustainable.
“It was a common thread in all of the contributions that we made that we all appreciate the pressure on supply and affordability in all of our jurisdictions.”
