ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland — British Prime Minister David Cameron says leaders gathering today for the G-8 summit in Northern Ireland should reach speedy agreement on trade and tax reforms, and draw inspiration from the host country's ability to resolve its own stubborn conflict.

Speaking hours ahead of the summit's official opening at a lakeside golf resort, Cameron said he expects formal agreement to launch negotiations on a European-American free trade agreement. He said a pact to slash tariffs on exports would boost employment on both sides of the Atlantic.

“This will be a summit that will drive growth and prosperity all over the world,” Cameron declared.

Referring to Northern Ireland's ability to leave behind a four-decade conflict that claimed 3,700 lives, he said leaders of the Group of Eight wealthy nations should be inspired by the setting to deliver their own economic breakthrough.

“Ten or 20 years ago, a G-8 in Fermanagh would have been unimaginable. But today Northern Ireland is a very different place ... a symbol of hope to the world,” Cameron said.