During a meeting with Irish Premier Leo Varadkar at the White House, President Joe Biden commended the significant progress in Northern Ireland following the reinstatement of the executive and Assembly, marking a pivotal moment of peace and development since the Good Friday Agreement.
President Joe Biden has commended the reinstatement of powersharing in Northern Ireland as a significant progress, during a meeting with Irish Premier Leo Varadkar at the White House. The discussion touched upon the sustained peace and development in Northern Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement, with Biden expressing contentment over the resumption of the Northern Ireland executive and Assembly, following a two-year hiatus. The US President reinforced his commitment to peace in the region, a sentiment he had shared during a previous visit to Ireland.
Varadkar, on his part, briefed Biden on the current dynamics in Northern Ireland, underscoring the importance of the operative Good Friday institutions and the maintenance of trading arrangements to prevent a hard border between the northern and southern parts of Ireland. He also acknowledged Biden’s continuous support for Ireland and the pivotal peace agreement.
Simultaneously, Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly are in Washington DC, engaging with political and business leaders to promote Northern Ireland as an investment destination, stating that the region is “open for business.”
Furthermore, Biden and Varadkar are slated to participate in the Friends of Ireland St Patrick’s Day Luncheon at the US Capitol, which is expected to underscore the robust partnership between the US and Ireland. The luncheon will also provide an opportunity for discussions on various global issues, including the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East, on top of the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland.
This year’s St Patrick’s Day visit also includes Varadkar’s commendation of US Vice President Kamala Harris for her advocacy for a ceasefire in Gaza, shared during a breakfast event. The visit is split into two segments, the initial meeting at the White House and a subsequent gathering for the shamrock bowl ceremony, symbolizing the strong friendship and cooperation between the two nations. The events are to be live-streamed, offering a glimpse into the diplomatic exchanges between the US and Ireland.
