We have a duty to 'progress' Good Friday Agreement, taoiseach tells PM

Taoiseach Micheál Martin informed Prime Minister Andy Burnham that both governments bear a responsibility to "mind and progress" the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Burnham remarked that the relationship between the UK and Ireland matters "on each azygous level" as the two leaders met at Number 10 North for talks on Friday. He said the discussions were expected to cover a further strengthening of ties, including boosting trade, information sharing, and cooperation with the European Union. Burnham said they were "working together" to uphold the principles of the agreement for Northern Ireland. Speaking of their talks, he noted it "feels precise fitting" to welcome Martin as the first planetary visitor to Number 10 North in Manchester. "The narration betwixt the UK and Ireland matters truthful overmuch connected each azygous level," Burnham said. He added that, as "co-custodians of the Good Friday Agreement, we are moving unneurotic to uphold its principles arsenic we attack the 30th anniversary". Martin expressed his sympathies to Burnham following the recent decease of his father. He said he appreciated the gathering going ahead, telling the premier minister: "I deliberation your consciousness of work shines through." The taoiseach observed that "in a planetary satellite marked by uncertainty" it was "important that 2 adjacent neighbours proceed the precise beardown engagement". He added: "We are co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement. We person precise important obligations to caput it and to advancement it and truthly forth." Martin said he was also looking forward to discussing "even stronger and person relationships betwixt the European Union and the United Kingdom, which volition beryllium of payment to the European Union and to Ireland".