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President Joe Biden said maintaining peace in Northern Ireland was a “priority” for the United States, promising “opportunities” and “investments” in the region.
“The American people are with you every step of the way,” President Biden told the audience, marking the anniversary of the Good Friday Pact in Belfast.
Biden said Brexit has created “complex challenges” for Northern Ireland, but Rishi Sunak’s post-Brexit arrangement, known as the Windsor Framework, will lead to “big investments” in the region. praised.
The president announced that US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy will lead a corporate trade delegation to Northern Ireland later this year to help realize its “huge economic potential”.
“I am deeply grateful to Chancellor Sunak and Commissioner von der Leyen for their personal leadership in reaching this agreement,” Biden said.
“The Windsor Framework addresses the real reality of Brexit and is an essential step to ensure the maintenance and strengthening of the hard-won peace and Good Friday deal.
“Negotiators listened to business leaders from the UK and Ireland who shared what it takes to be successful. We believe it will drive significant investments in Northern Ireland.”
He urged Northern Irish politicians to allow a return to power sharing, arguing that a stable decentralized government could bring economic benefits.
“The decisions you make, not mine, but they seem relevant to me,” he said. Effective and empowered governments that take responsibility and work together to find ways to solve difficult problems will unlock even greater opportunities in the region.
“So I hope that Congress and the Executive will get back on their feet soon. It’s your decision to make, not mine, but I hope it will.”
The Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland (DUP) is currently blocking the formation of a government to protest the Brexit deal over concerns about trade barriers between the UK and Northern Ireland.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson suggested Mr Biden’s visit and his comments would not change this.
Speaking to reporters after the US President met with political party leaders after his speech, Sir Geoffrey said: We cannot make decisions for Northern Ireland’s political leaders, but the United States stands ready to help Northern Ireland wherever we can. ”
Asked whether Biden’s remarks would change the post-Brexit political deadlock, Biden said: “The political dynamics in Northern Ireland have not changed.”
He added:
“That’s what needs to happen to enable us to move towards restoring our political system. The government said they would do it to protect our position in Britain. you have to do something.”
President Biden’s visit to Northern Ireland comes as the region marks the 25th anniversary of the landmark Good Friday Peace Accord, which created the Stormt power-sharing agency.
President Biden paid tribute to the politicians who reached the peace accord in 1998, saying he had “transformed” the region.
“Peace was not inevitable. We can never forget it.”
President Biden continued, “We will support the people of Northern Ireland and keep the peace in Northern Ireland. […] Priority. ”
Mr. Biden and Mr. Snack previously held a brief meeting in Belfast.
Snack said he had “very good conversations” with President Biden on economic investment and foreign policy issues in Northern Ireland.
“This is because I met him last month in the United States. We are working together on a variety of things, whether it is support for the economy or economic security,” he said.
“I think the relationship is actually in great shape. The president and I have a lot of things to work on together.”