Politicians from the Basque region are in Northern Ireland this weekend in a bid to learn from our peace process.

The visit, organised by the Northern Ireland Centre for European Co-operation (NICEC), based at the University of Ulster, aims to help Basque politicians move their own peace process forward.

NICEC project officer Dr Billy Leonard, who is co-ordinating the programme, said:“This three-day visit will be particularly helpful for the delegation as our experiences from the late 1980s and early 1990s equate with where the Basque and Spanish politicians are in their efforts to resolve the long running conflict in Spain.

“We have arranged a series of informal meetings with local politicians in Northern Ireland for the Basque representatives - from which they can take lessons and experiences.

“The Basque politicians have recently agreed on potential ways to further their process in a framework of dialogue. This is a very constructive and significant development. Getting first hand accounts from Northern Ireland’s politicians could greatly help that process.”

The Northern Ireland Centre for European Co-Operations is funded under the EU’s Peace II programme, provided through the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office, Department of Communication and Development
Tel: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk