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18 June 2007 - Joint agreement with Scotland

At the conclusion of his visit to Northern Ireland Scottish First Minister Rt Hon Alex Salmond MP, MSP, signed a joint communique with First Minister Rt Hon Ian Paisley MP, MLA, and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

The communique reads as follows:

At our meeting today we agreed to work together to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the people of Scotland and Northern Ireland, and consolidate and strengthen the social, educational and cultural relationship between the two countries.

We recognise the strong historical bond that exists between the people of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Significant links already exist between us in business, education and other spheres. We are agreed that there are further opportunities for co-operation between the two countries in the fields of trade and investment, science and technology, culture, education, agriculture and fisheries, tourism and environment to promote common prosperity and development.

Based on our discussions, we have agreed to work together in the following areas:

  • raising understanding of each other’s history and culture;
  • encouraging education programmes and building on existing links between our Universities and Colleges;
  • collaborate on tourism issues through the tourism group of the British-Irish Council;
  • renewable energy and its effect on the environment; and
  • to strengthen co-operation between the devolved administrations.

We agreed that we would review progress across these areas by the end of this year.


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