Northern Ireland First Minister Mr David Trimble tonight met South African leaders in a bid to learn lessons about sharing power in conflict regions. A dinner was held in Cape Town in honour of Mr Trimble as he arrived in the region on a two-day visit after attending the Earth Summit in Johannesburg.
The Ulster Unionist leader shared experiences with the New National Party's Western Cape province leader Mr Marthinus Van Schalkwyk and African National Congress minister Mr Tasneem Essop.
A dinner was held in Cape Town in honour of Mr Trimble as he arrived in the region on a two-day visit after attending the Earth Summit in Johannesburg.
Afterwards, Mr Trimble said the meeting was "very useful". He said: "There are many lessons to be learnt from the experience of the Western Cape province in tackling issues which we face in Northern Ireland.
"We look forward to building on the foundations which we have established."
Four other ministers from the power-sharing administration were also present, two each from the NNP and ANC.
Efforts to tackle crime and prevent inter-racial conflict were on the agenda, along with innovative community projects.
With Mr Trimble due to spend his time in Cape Town examining community relations work, Mr van Schalkwyk said: "We know that our friends in Northern Ireland stand on the edge of real and lasting peace.
"The South African experience has been that the best way to advance nation building is to emphasise the common goal of building the best possible future whilst recognising the role of history without being trapped by it."
PA