Inclusion in the European Union would bring a more prosperous future to Northern Ireland, the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw said today.
Mr Straw was in Belfast as part of a tour to explain the benefits of EU membership. His was the first visit by the British Foreign Secretary to Northern Ireland since 1993.
After meeting with the Northern Ireland First Minister, Mr David Trimble and the deputy First Minister, Mr Mark Durkan, Mr Straw said the British government had "already made the political case" in favour of the euro's introduction into the UK.
"We believe in principle that the euro benefits people in Britain and we have had that endorsed in successive elections," said Mr Straw.
Mr Straw said that the results of five tests set out by the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Gordon Brown would be announced some time before the second anniversary of the administration next June.
"Those five tests are clearly the subject of an economic assessment," he said and will essentially provide information on whether the UK economy can "converge with the euro 12".
If it is decided that the interests of people in Northern Ireland and the UK would be best served by entering the eurozone, "then we will make that recommendation", he said.
The final decision he added however, will be made by the people "in the secrecy of the polling booths".
PA