A former leader of the Progressive Unionist Party has said the Good Friday Agreement is "here to stay no matter what anyone else says".
Dawn Purvis, who was involved in negotiations which led to the historic peace deal in 1998, said the agreement remains the "only show in town".
The former MLA recalled how she "absolutely burst into tears" when she learned the deal had been agreed after intensive multi-party negotiations.
Read more: Stormont instability a lingering regret from Good Friday Agreement, says Bertie Ahern
Reflecting on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, Ms Purvis said: "We have a peace and we need to protect that peace."
She said implementing the agreement "has had its ups and downs" but it is "still there as an agreement, 25 years on".
She added: "It brought about peace. It brought about political change. And it really is the only show in town."
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