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Ministers in Belfast as Talks Process enters crucial phase
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan T.D. and Minister of State Seán Sherlock T.D. are in Belfast this morning [19 November] for the Northern Ireland political talks which are now entering their sixth week.
Following the recent intensification of the talks, further discussions are scheduled to take place this week to advance all of the key issues.
Speaking this morning, Minister Flanagan said:
“It is clear that the talks have now entered an important phase in which we all need to make renewed efforts to achieve a comprehensive agreement. Both the Secretary of State and I will be reporting to the Prime Minister and to the Taoiseach respectively on the state of play in the talks by the end of next week, and I hope that we will be in a position to report significant progress”.
Minister Sherlock added:
“I look forward to the discussions this week continuing to build on the progress that has been made recently. A full schedule of meetings involving all the parties and both Governments will take place over two days which I expect to be fruitful”.