The PM said the Good Friday Agreement remains the "best and only foundation for peace and prosperity" in Northern Ireland
Brendan Hughes, 19 Apr
Restoring Stormont power-sharing is the "right thing" to do for the future of the Union, Rishi Sunak has said.
The Prime Minister urged unionists to revive the devolved institutions as he gave the closing address at a landmark conference in Belfast marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
Speaking at
Queen's University
, Mr Sunak said the 1998 accord remains the "best and only foundation for peace and prosperity" in Northern Ireland.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also addressed the third and final day of the conference, which has involved global political figures including former US president Bill Clinton.
The
DUP
has been blocking devolved government since last year in protest against Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol which it contends has weakened the region's place within the UK.
Mr Sunak insists the new Windsor Framework deal he recently struck with the EU has addressed DUP concerns, but the party is seeking further assurances.
Appealing directly to unionist political representatives during his speech, Mr Sunak said: "I urge you to work with us to get
Stormont
up and running again.
"That's the right thing to do in its own terms. I’m convinced it’s also the right thing to do for our Union.
"Now, I'm a proud unionist. We passionately believe that Northern Ireland is stronger within the United Kingdom, and the United Kingdom is stronger with Northern Ireland within it.
"But we must also build support beyond those of us who already identify as unionists. To do that, we have to show that devolved government within the United Kingdom works for Northern Ireland."
During his speech, Mr Sunak said he would use the "full force and power" of the UK government to make Northern Ireland an economic and investment hub.
There was applause from the audience when the Prime Minister expressed hope that in 25 years integrated education in Northern Ireland would be the "norm, rather than the exception".
Earlier Mr Varadkar and Mr Clinton also urged a return to devolution as they addressed the conference.
Mr Clinton expressed support for the Windsor Framework, saying it seemed to be "best deal you could get to split the baby".
He said the roadblock Brexit had posed for Northern Ireland’s political and economic future had been "dramatically mitigated".
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"The agreement was never supposed to be used to make sure there could be no self-government," he said.
"We know what the votes were at the last election, we can add them up, the allocation of seats in the parliamentary body, and it is time to get this show on the road."
Mr Varadkar said the Good Friday Agreement was about "defying historical expectations".
He added that "we need that kind of leadership still", as he urged Northern Ireland's political leaders to "seize control of their history" and "lead people into a better future".
"And we as co-guarantors of the Agreement will be here to help, every step of the way," he said as he concluded his speech.
Ms von der Leyen hailed improving relations between the UK and European Union, describing the Windsor Framework as a "new beginning for old friends".
"Today, my grandchildren are toddlers, what Northern Ireland and the whole island of Ireland will look like when they are in their twenties depends on all of us," she said.
"But the ultimate choice lies with you, the people of Northern Ireland, to shape your history and that of the next generation.
"The gateway to a bright future is open, all you need to do is walk through it."