JOINT CAMPAIGN:THE SDLP and the Labour Party will today hold a joint press conference in support of a Yes vote in next month's referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
The press conference, to be held in Belfast, will be hosted by SDLP leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan, the party deputy leader and South Belfast MP, Dr Alasdair McDonnell, and North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness.
They will be joined by Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore TD and Dublin Central TD Joe Costello, Labour's European spokesman.
Dr McDonnell said the SDLP was "clearly pro-European" and the joint press conference was designed "to signal support for the treaty - it is as simple as that".
"We intend to avail of every opportunity over the next few weeks to campaign with any and all of the pro-EU parties in the South for it," Dr McDonnell said last night.
"We will be campaigning for the treaty in the South, opportunities permitting, and doing what we can to convey our support. In keeping with our long-standing position to work with all parties in the South, we will support meetings that any of them have in this campaign. We have excellent relationships with the Labour Party and this event is just an example of that."
The South Belfast MP said the joint press conference was solely concerned with the Lisbon Treaty referendum and was unconnected to any possible merger with one or other of the main parties in the Republic.