The First Minister of Northern Ireland has welcomed the announcement that the Group of Eight (G8) Summit next year will take place in Co. Fermanagh.

Peter Robinson said the announcement by British Prime Minister David Cameron today is indicative of his confidence in Northern Ireland.

The 2013 event will see a slew of world leaders as well as their advisors and an international media pack arrive at the Lough Erne golf resort.

Among those who will be attending are the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Barrack Obama.

Second Irish visit?

It has prompted speculation that President Obama will be approached to make a second visit to the Republic either before or after the Summit.

The group is made up of the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Japan, United States, Canada, and Russia.

They hold a yearly meeting to try and reach consensus on global issues such as economic growth and crisis management.

However the G8 is unable to force its members to comply with policies and objectives and some experts question its overall effectiveness.