Irish, British PMs getting together

Published: May 8, 2008 at 2:47 AM

DUBLIN, Ireland, May 8 (UPI) -- New Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen sounded optimistic about his impending meeting Thursday with his British counterpart, Gordon Brown.

The two leaders were to meet in Belfast on Cowen's first full day on the job to review political progress in Northern Ireland and discuss strategic European and global issues, Ireland Online reported.

"I am delighted that on my first full day in office, I will be meeting with ... Brown, First Minister (Ian) Paisley and Deputy First Minister (Martin) McGuinness," Cowen said. "Today's meetings and investment conference are a mark of the huge progress we have made in recent years and a clear signpost to the better future that we are together building for everyone on the island of Ireland."

The Irish prime minister, or taoiseach, also was expected to meet with U.S. Special Envoy Paula Dobriansky and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Cowen, who had been finance minister, replaced Bertie Ahern, who resigned after holding the post for 11 years. Ahern was undermined by allegations of financial irregularities, which he has consistently denied.

Topics: Brian Cowen, Gordon Brown, Martin McGuinness, Michael Bloomberg, Paula Dobriansky

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints

Most Popular Collections

'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening	NBC upfronts	Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York	Spire raised on top of One WTC	2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces

Additional Top News Stories
Top News 1 child dead, 2 hurt, 1 missing after ground gives way in Minn. park ST. PAUL, Minn., May 22 (UPI) -- One child was killed and one was missing after rain-soaked soil gave way in a St. Paul, Minn., park where children were hunting for fossils, authorities said. West Point adviser charged with videotaping female cadets in shower Martial arts fighter says sex balm hurt his sex life Four school buses collide in Indiana; 50 students, driver injured Matthew Ryan Buquet pleads not guilty in Spokane, Wash., ricin letters	Entertainment News Obama presents Carole King with Gershwin Prize WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- President Obama presented the Gershwin Prize to a singer-songwriter he called "the one and only Carole King" at a Washington ceremony Wednesday night. Reports: Paris Hilton has record deal with Cash Money Records David Bowie's former bassist Trevor Bolder dead at 62 Beyonce to headline Women's Concert for Change Ari Graynor to star in TV comedy 'Bad Teacher'
Business News Existing U.S. home sales rose in April WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- Sales of existing U.S. homes rose in April and were 9.7 percent higher than in April 2012, a trade group in Washington said Wednesday. Crude oil slips Wednesday Report: Saudi bailout of Pakistan energy sector likely Bernanke sends investors a mixed message Tesla Motors pays off $452 million owed to U.S. government	Odd News Your Daily Horoscope UPI horoscopes for Thursday, May 23, 2013. The almanac MP Eric Joyce arrested at Edinburgh airport End may be in sight for Venezuelan toilet paper shortage Brit's arm takes six years to heal, breaks day after final treatment

Top News

Irish, British PMs getting together