REACTION:QUEEN ELIZABETH'S visit to the Republic and the reception she received will help foster a "new approach" between the people of Britain and Ireland, John Hume has said.
The former SDLP leader said the events of the past week had been transformative and represented a positive step in relations between the two islands.
“It was very important and the warmth of the welcome she received was also very important because the stresses of the past that existed should no longer exist,” he said.
“It’s quite clear now that there’s a very strong friendship between the peoples, between the English, the Welsh, the Scottish and the Irish and that’s as it should be,” he added.
“Of course the very fact that the Queen was able to come and be so well received in Dublin underlines completely the positive nature now of our relationships. I have no doubt that will lead to a building of a whole new approach to one another over the years.”
The decision by the Queen to address in Irish the State banquet at Dublin Castle on Wednesday was also important, he said.
He told the BBC: “The fact that she spoke Irish in Ireland was a very positive sign of her friendship, underlining the strength of her friendship with the people of Ireland.
“In the past it was a very different picture altogether but it is another very positive step in developing strongly the peaceful relationships between the peoples of both islands.
“I’m quite sure the people of both islands will certainly hope that that will remain the case for the future,” he said.