NI venue to host major international summit in autumn

Belfast Telegraph

7 days ago

Hillsborough Castle will be the site of talks concerning the Western Balkans in October, led by Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
It is aimed at promoting economic growth in the Balkan regions.
The Western Balkans comprise of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo.
Also attending will be representatives from the UK, Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and Denmark.
The meeting on October 8 will focus on efforts to tackle corruption, instability and human trafficking.
Mr Lammy will be joined by Secretary of State, Hillary Benn.
In 2024, more than 55,000 people were trafficked to other countries using Western Balkans as a gateway. The government is planning a joint agreement on organised crime signed with Serbia, which was finalised with Mr Lammy's visit to the nation and Kosovo in April.
Also in October, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will host a migration-focused interior minister meeting, while in London, the Prime Minster will host a leader's summit.
The Western Balkans were plagued by a multi-ethnic and multi-faith conflict from 1992 to 1995 after the break-up of Yugoslavia in June 1991.
Mr Lammy referenced how Hillsborough Castle was the site of peace talks in Northern Ireland, leading the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998.
"Hillsborough Castle is a poignant reminder of the power of diplomacy to transform conflict and division into long-term peace and cooperation,' said the Foreign Secretary.
'By harnessing Northern Ireland's experience, we hope to support partners in the Western Balkans to overcome the challenges of the past through meaningful reconciliation and help build a safe and prosperous future.
'As part of the Plan for Change, this government is committed to strengthening partnerships with Europe, ensuring strong foundations of economic stability, secure borders and national security.'
Mr Benn believes that Hillsborough Castle is a fitting choice of venue for the talks.
'Northern Ireland's experience of securing peace through the Good Friday Agreement after decades of conflict has set a powerful example of reconciliation to the world,' he said.
'This provides a legacy of hope as well as practical experience which I believe will prove invaluable to our Western Balkans partners as they travel a similar path to peace and prosperity.
'As a long-standing forum for peace-building and politics, it is fitting that Hillsborough Castle has been chosen to host this significant international event.'
Laura McCorry, Head of Hillsborough Castle, said that 'for centuries [the venue] has been a place where people come together to shape a shared future'.
'The castle stands as a living testament to the power of dialogue and reconciliation in a place where peace has been hard won,' she said.