THE President, Mrs Robinson, has called on all sides in next month's Northern political talks to enter the negotiations "in a spirit of determination" to resolve problems.
Mrs Robinson was speaking in Paris yesterday at the end of a four day visit to France to visit the L'Imaginaire Irlandais cultural festival and receive an honorary doctorate from Rennes University.
She said the next few months were crucial for Ireland. She had been "very conscious" during her recent state visit to South Africa of "how that country had managed to cross huge chasms and build bridges in working together in the Government of National Unity". This had happened because those involved in discussions had shown a "determination to resolve the issues, particularly those issues which might be difficult".
On the Northern talks, Mrs Robinson went on: "I hope all sides will enter negotiations in a spirit of determination to seek resolution, to find accommodation and to work particularly at the difficult areas so we can find peace, reconciliation and friendship on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain."
Referring to her official visit to Britain next month, Mrs Robinson spoke of Ireland's new "self confidence" which meant Irish people could relate to Britain and Britain could acknowledge Ireland in a way which must be good for relations between the two countries.
Mrs Robinson said L'Imaginaire Irlandais had shown the French not only the vibrancy of Irish culture but also that Ireland was "very European in its consciousness". This was very important on the eve of Ireland taking over the EU Presidency.
On Tuesday, Mrs Robinson will pay a State visit to Iceland.