G8 Summit held in N. Ireland

Members of G8 will meet in Northern Ireland on Monday and Tuesday for talks

By Nicole Hamer |

11:23 17 June 2013

The G8 summit begins today, Monday 17th June, where the leaders are meeting in Northern Ireland for talks that will take place over two days.

The meeting, held in County Fermanagh, is expected to involve discussions surrounding the civil war in Syria, among other topics.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron will be hosting the meetings on Monday and Tuesday. The PM is expected to look at a potential EU-US free trade deal during this time.

Of this, Mr. Cameron said it may be worth £10billion, and also that “these trade deals matter, because they mean more jobs, more choice for consumers and lower prices.”

Based on reports, the new presidential election for Iran is also expected to be discussed by the G8 members, among other topics.

The G8 meeting this week marks the first time President Barack Obama has visited Northern Ireland. It is believed he will make a speech at the Waterfront Hall centre, which is in Belfast, ahead of the summit.

The US President is visiting Northern Ireland with his wife and their two children.

A spokesperson from the White House said: “He will deliver remarks and engage with the people of Northern Ireland and highlight the hard work, dialogue and institutional development they have undertaken together to advance peace and prosperity.”