Clinton Bolsters NI Business Trip

Former US president Bill Clinton has said important lessons can be taken from the Northern Ireland peace process.

Addressing delegates at a New York conference, Mr Clinton (pictured) said the province should be used as a reference point for every other conflict zone in the world.

He suggested important lessons could be learned from resolutions reached following over 30 years of bloodshed.

First and deputy first ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness attended the event, aimed at bolstering NI/US business links.

Declan Kelly, America's trade envoy to the province, lauded the work of Invest NI and the Stormont Executive in attracting new investment.

He described Northern Ireland's reemergence as "an economic miracle".

Later ministers Robinson and McGuinness met with Gordon Brown to hold further talks on the devolution of policing and justice powers to the local Assembly.

The prime minister is expected to host another Downing Street meeting focused on agreeing a financial package next week.

According to the BBC, budgetary stumbling blocks are "narrowing".

(PR/GK)