Ms Little-Pengelly said,
“We had a detailed and productive meeting on a wide range of issues today. This includes on ongoing international issues, the engagements in the White House coming up this week and on how better we can work together to promote Northern Ireland as part of the Embassy work in the USA.
Lord Mandelson served as our Secretary of State and has a detailed knowledge and understanding of Northern Ireland. This provides a huge opportunity to have a real champion in Washington who will promote Northern Ireland as the UK Ambassador.
This is particularly the case as we head towards the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Many from what is now Northern Ireland, were the founding fathers of the United States. The potential to use our shared heritage and history as a way of promoting Northern Ireland is significant. The Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and myself will be seeking to harness these opportunities.”