Sinn Fein offers the Northern Ireland electorate a genuine and radical alternative in the forthcoming European elections according to the party candidate, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin.
Speaking at the launch of the party manifesto - Peace and Independence in Europe - the Sinn Fein chairman said the document reflected the "republican critical analysis" of Europe and tackled many of the problems associated with the EU.
The manifesto sets out an approach which seeks to make the EU more democratically accountable and more efficient in improving the quality of life for people, he added. Sinn Fein advocates reform in the EU, the protection of neutrality and the promotion of a 32-county political and economic identity in Europe.
"For many people the core issues facing them is what kind of Europe do we want and how best can this be achieved, particularly in relation to key policy areas - EMU, CAP, Agenda 2000, regional policy, peace and reconciliation funding, the environment and social inclusion."
Mr McLaughlin was flanked at yesterday's launch by senior party figures including party president Mr Gerry Adams and senior negotiator Mr Martin McGuinness.
"I think this election is the best opportunity thus far for people in the North to send Mitchel McLaughlin into the European Parliament - the best opportunity to elect a republican voice to Europe," Mr Adams said.
Mr McLaughlin stressed that nationalists in the North had a "unique" chance to elect a second candidate in the three-seat constituency whereas in previous years the outcome had been predetermined with unionists securing two of the seats.
Referring to SDLP attempts to maximise their first preferences votes so party leader Mr John Hume could top the poll over the DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, Mr McLaughlin said the nationalist electorate was "less concerned" about which party would actually achieve the greater vote.
Meanwhile, the other candidates for the June 10th poll continued on the election trail yesterday.
The UUP candidate, Mr Jim Nicholson, was in Belfast where he warned the British government and the Patten Commission against tampering with the "fundamentals of policing".
"It must be made increasingly clear that the interests of society and its police service will not be sacrificed on the altar of expediency. That would be the road to anarchy," he said.
Speaking in Enniskillen, Mr Hume paid tribute to people who worked to implement the EU peace and reconciliation fund, which supports local projects throughout the North.
"The ability of this fund to reach beyond the confines of traditional EU projects and to make a direct and immediate difference to the lives of so many cannot be underestimated," he said.
The Alliance party leader, Mr Sean Neeson, campaigned in Ballymena, Co Antrim, yesterday, the heart of Dr Paisley's constituency. However, Mr Neeson said he had not encountered one person who opposed the Belfast Agreement.
"Whether they voted for or against this agreement, they all want to see the Assembly work."