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Leaders gather for council talks Leaders gather for council talks
(about 5 hours later)
The North-South Ministerial Council is meeting at Magee College in Londonderry on Friday. The North-South Ministerial Council is meeting at Magee College in Londonderry.
It is the first gathering of the body since Peter Robinson became Northern Ireland's first minister and Brian Cowen took charge in the Republic.It is the first gathering of the body since Peter Robinson became Northern Ireland's first minister and Brian Cowen took charge in the Republic.
The economic downturn is one of the issues to be discussed. Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness is co-chairing the talks.
Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew is expected to press for a share of the EU 180m euro dioxin compensation package for pork and beef farmers. The NI Agriculture Minister is expected to press for a share of the EU 180m euro dioxin compensation package for pork and beef farmers.
The economic downturn is also one of the issues to be discussed at Friday's meeting.
Sinn Féin Foyle assembly member Martina Anderson said the meeting was "an opportunity to highlight the entire north-west region in terms of what is needed to promote and develop the area".Sinn Féin Foyle assembly member Martina Anderson said the meeting was "an opportunity to highlight the entire north-west region in terms of what is needed to promote and develop the area".
The North-South Ministerial Council was set up as part of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement to increase cross-border co-operation on issues of mutual interest.The North-South Ministerial Council was set up as part of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement to increase cross-border co-operation on issues of mutual interest.
On Friday, Mr McGuinness welcomed the appointment of former Good Friday talks chairman George Mitchell as President's Obama's new Middle East envoy.