PM Praises NI Over G8 Summit

Prime Minister David Cameron has praised Northern Ireland, labelling the G8 summit as the most peaceful in recent memory.

Mr Cameron also said the region was an "inspiration to the world".

His comments were made at the end of the two-day event held in Co Fermanagh, which ended with the signing of the Lough Erne Declaration.

In his speech, he also reflected on the peace process, saying it was proof of how much NI had changed as a result after the summit was hosted without incident.

He said: "Twenty five years ago, when a terrible bomb attack killed 11 people just a few miles down the road from here, a G8 conference would have been unimaginable.

"But today the world has seen a new Northern Ireland that is not only beautiful but open for business, and that is bringing down the peace walls that separated its people for so long.

"It is a transformation that can be an inspiration to the rest of the world and all the G8 leaders have commented on how remarkable it is to hold the G8 here and what a powerful message it sent, and what it meant to them."

Following two-days of discussions, the world leaders released 10-point declaration which is designed to tackle tax evasion and promote free trade around the world.

Mr Cameron added: "We agreed a Lough Erne declaration that has the potential to rewrite the rules on tax and transparency for the benefit of countries right across the world, including the poorest countries in the world.

"We have commissioned a new international mechanism that will identify where multinational companies are earning their profits and paying their taxes so we can track and expose those who aren't paying their fair share."

The leaders also discussed the current situation in Syria claiming they are "committed to achieving a political solution to the crisis based on a vision for a united, inclusive and democratic Syria".

The leaders of the UK, US, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Japan and Russia met at the Lough Erne Resort, Co Fermanagh on Monday and Tuesday to discuss and tackle the most pressing global challenges.

(JP/CD)