Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

GUE/NGL President Francis Wurtz statement

"The International Commission on disarmament of Northern Ireland has announced that all IRA arms have been put beyond use.

I believe this to be a decision of the greatest importance for Northern Ireland and for Europe. There now exists a historical opportunity to clear the way for the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

I recognise the role played by Sinn Féin as a party and by its president Gerry Adams in creating the progress which has brought us to this point. I have already had the opportunity to underline the great satisfaction of our group following the solemn call of early April by Gerry Adams for an exclusively political and democratic approach. We are again delighted by his efforts today.

We express our wish that all parties to the Good Friday Agreement will accept in turn their responsibilities in the same spirit.

In these circumstances, I am particularly happy that we will welcome Gerry Adams to the European parliament next week so that he can speak to us about the new prospects for the peace process in Northern Ireland.