Biden visit to Ulster and Ireland to remember the Good Friday peace agreement

Monday, April 10th 2023 - 12:45 UTC

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Rishi Sunak will welcome the US president Joe Biden to Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has praised the “bravery, perseverance and political imagination” shown by the leaders who shaped Northern Ireland's peace deal, the 1998 Good Friday Agreement which ended Northern Ireland's decades-long violent conflict known as the Troubles, reports BBC.

To remember the event US president Joe Biden (he himself of Irish roots),will be welcomed on Tuesday to Northern Ireland.

On the 25th anniversary, Westminster has called on local politicians to “get on with the business of governance”.

Praising the Good Friday Agreement, Mr Sunak said: “This is an agreement born of partnership between the British and Irish governments and, as we will see from President Biden's visit this week, it continues to enjoy huge international support from our closest allies.

”But, most importantly, it is based on compromise in Northern Ireland itself.

“As we look forward, we will celebrate those who took difficult decisions, accepted compromise, and showed leadership - showing bravery, perseverance, and political imagination.

”We commemorate those who are no longer with us and the many who lost their lives by trying to prevent violence and protect the innocent, and we give thanks to them as we reflect on the new generations that have grown up and continue to grow in a world in which peace and prosperity has prevailed.“

When Northern Ireland was created in 1921, it remained part of the UK when the rest of Ireland became an independent state. This created a split in the population between unionists, who wish to see Northern Ireland stay within the UK; and nationalists, who want it to become part of the Republic of Ireland. From the late 1960s until 1998 - a period known as the Troubles - thousands of people were killed and injured as violence flared between the two sides. London had to send the Army while the nationalists were organized in urbn guerrilla cells under the IRA.

PM Sunak said that while it was important to reflect on the progress made, ”we must also recommit to redoubling our efforts on the promise made in 1998 and the agreements that followed“.

”One of economic opportunity, prosperity, and stability - it is a promise we must continue to fulfil.”

Less than two weeks ago, Northern Ireland's terrorism threat was raised from substantial to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. The move, based on an MI5 intelligence assessment, follows a rise in dissident republican activity, including the shooting of a top police officer in Omagh, County Tyrone, in February, and the arson of several public transport units..

Rishi Sunak will welcome the US president to Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening.

President Biden is due to make a speech at Ulster University-s newly opened Belfast campus on Wednesday. He will also address business and civic leaders and may speak to political parties.

However his visit to Northern Ireland will be shorter than many people had expected when it was first announced last month.

It is understood that he will leave Northern Ireland that afternoon to travel to the Republic of Ireland.

During his three days in the Republic of Ireland, the US president will attend engagements in Dublin, County Louth, and County Mayo.

The White House has said he is expected to address the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) on Thursday. Rishi Sunak will welcome the US president to Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening.

President Biden is due to make a speech at Ulster University-s newly opened Belfast campus on Wednesday. He will also address business and civic leaders and may speak to political parties.

However his visit to Northern Ireland will be shorter than many people had expected when it was first announced last month.

It is understood that he will leave Northern Ireland that afternoon to travel to the Republic of Ireland.

During his three days in the Republic of Ireland, the US president will attend engagements in Dublin, County Louth, and County Mayo.

The White House has said he is expected to address the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) on Thursday.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said he is delighted that President Biden would be visiting Ireland.

“When we spoke recently in the White House President Biden was clear that in celebrating the Good Friday Agreement we should be looking ahead, not backwards,” he said.