Minister Cowen meets Dr. Mitchell Reiss, new U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen, TD, met today with Dr. Mitchell Reiss, recently appointed Special Envoy for Northern Ireland by U.S. President George Bush. Minister Cowen welcomed Dr. Reiss to his new role and looked forward to his involvement in the Peace Process on behalf of President Bush. The Minister added;
“The positive role played by the US Administration in the Peace Process since its beginning has been very important to us. In this context, I once again pay tribute to the work of Dr. Richard Haass, Dr. Reiss' predecessor as Special Envoy.
I am confident that Dr. Reiss will demonstrate the same ability and commitment in this role, am impressed by the pro-active and informed manner in which he has assumed his new responsibilities and look forward to further meetings with him in the future.
At this evening's meeting we exchanged notes on our respective recent contacts with the parties in Northern Ireland, discussed the prospects for the review and agreed on the importance of the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, not least in regard to its key commitments on the operation of stable political institutions and the complete ending of paramilitarism.”
