Alliance Leader to meet President of Burundi today

Alliance Leader David Ford has extended a warm welcome to the President of Burundi as he visits Northern Ireland. David Ford and Lagan Valley MLA Trevor Lunn are meeting the President of Burundi this evening. They are meeting His Excellency Mr Pierre Nkurunziza in the Members Dining Room, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, at 7.15 pm tonight.

David Ford said: “I want to extend the warmest possible welcome to the President, and I hope he enjoys his visit.

“This is an extremely positive visit, as views can be exchanged about achieving peace and addressing the past, with Northern Ireland and Burundi both having experienced conflict.

“I also believe that this visit will be extremely useful as it will focus the minds of local MLAs on issues like international development. Many local politicians are too inward-looking and this visit will hopefully broaden their perspective.”

ENDS