Good Friday Agreement is still the way forward

The Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid has warned politicians throughout Northern Ireland that they will have to stick to the Good Friday Agreement.

Dr Reid made his statement following the success of the Unionist anti-Agreement

party, the DUP in the recent local and general elections.

There are a series of tough negotiations scheduled for next week as the peace process returns to centre stage after the elections.

Dr Reid has re-emphasised the fact that there will be no alternative to

the Agreement considered.

The main sticking point in the process remains the issue of decommissioning and the First Minister of the Northern Assembly, David Trimble has threatened to resign if the IRA has not begun decommissioning by the 1st of July.

The Taoiseach and Tony Blair have already held a round of talks over the future of the north on the fringes of the EU Summit in Gothenburg and more talks between the two leaders are expected to be held later this week.