Northern Ireland witnesses the power of the Atlantic alliance

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The writer is a former American special envoy to Northern Ireland

All Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Or this is the saying. Donald Trump, like all other American presidents since Ronald Reagan, has called on the Irish government leaders to celebrate the celebration of the Oval Office. The mutual toast and the ritual width of a bowl of Shamrox is a symbol of American participation – politically, culturally and economically – with Ireland. With the Trump administration stopped on America’s long partnership with Europe on mutual security and trade, there is no better evidence of mutual advantages of continuing this relationship from the transformation of Northern Ireland.

From 1968 to 1998, more than 3,500 people died and an estimated 50,000 were wounded with sectarian conflict known as the problems that erupted throughout Northern Ireland. Former President Bill Clinton appointed Senator George Mitchell, a special envoy in 1995 to find a common ground between unionists and nationalists and the temptation of American investment to provide economic opportunities and reduce tensions between societies.

Over the end hours of listening, cooperation and beating, Mitchell helped with other officials, to divide the enemies to see a different path forward. This led to the 1998 Great Friday Agreement. More than 71 percent of voters in the referendum in Northern Ireland supported it, as did more than 94 percent in the Republic.

Of course, the problems do not end with the peace agreement. Fortunately, the US participation did not do it either. Each Khalaf administration has appointed, on the basis of the two parties, a special envoy to build on the agreement, reach paramilitary groups, and address the challenges with the police and enhance economic growth. I hope President Trump will appoint his envoy soon.

This post is important. Today, more than 1500 international companies, including more than 280 companies in the United States, have a presence in Northern Ireland. The region is a global leading investment destination for US cyber security companies and a major screening center with famous films such as game of thrones. The commercial deal between London and Brussels will prove useful for advanced manufacturing companies looking for simplified marketing markets from the United States and others. The unemployment rate is 1.6 percent. With the legislative council reserves in Belfast after a 24 -month stop, the pieces are finally suitable for the puzzle in place.

However, the greatest achievements of Northern Ireland – the gradual reduction in the conflict -based conflict – cannot be measured through economic indicators alone. It reflects the strength of participation.

America has always presented a general and special meeting for political and society leaders from both sides of the gap. Meanwhile, cooperation in politics and business helped enhance cooperation on the ground-a valuable lesson in the polarized political electronic.

The old goalkeeper of the leadership of Northern Ireland has wiped the way for a new generation. Northern Ireland is now leading two women, Michelle O’Neill from Shin Vin and Emma Little Bengili from Dup. Their rise led to a noticeable change in the tone in political discourse. Every leader is making deliberate efforts to express that the future of Northern Ireland is great enough to accommodate the differences. Tolerance is to accelerate the road to prosperity.

Today, Northern Ireland is a safer, stronger and more prosperous place due to the US government’s fixed and continuous participation and because American trade leaders and academics have arrived across the Atlantic Peace Support Ocean.

Today, during the period of commitment to cooperation across the Atlantic Ocean to ensure peace, security and economic growth in Europe, we must think about our incomplete work lessons in Northern Ireland.