US President Joe Biden has expressed hope the Northern Ireland Assembly can soon be restored.
In the first speech of his trip to Ireland, President Biden praised the Good Friday Agreement and said the democratic institutions it created remain critical to the future of Northern Ireland.
Speaking at Ulster University, he was careful in his call for a return to power-sharing.
“As a friend, I hope it's not too presumptuous for me to say that I believe democratic institutions established through the Good Friday Agreement remain critical to the future of Northern Ireland," he said.
“It's a decision for you to make, not for me to make,” he said.
.@POTUS is beginning his trip Belfast, where he will mark the tremendous progress since the signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago and underscore the readiness of the United States to support Northern Ireland’s economic potential. pic.twitter.com/bmbli4xbXH
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 12, 2023
He said an “effective, devolved government that reflects the people of Northern Ireland and is accountable to them” would create “even greater opportunity” for the region.
“I hope the assembly and the executive will soon be restored,” he said.
“That's a judgment for you to make, not me.
“I hope it happens, along with the institutions that help facilitate north-south and east-west relations, all of which are vital pieces of the Good Friday Agreement.”
Good Friday Agreement
President Biden noted that the Good Friday Agreement changed the political gravity in the country and warned that it can’t be taken for granted.
“There were no guarantees that the deal on paper would hold,” he said.
“There were no guarantees that it would be able to deliver the progress we celebrate today.
“It took long hard years of work to get to this place.
“It took a people willing to come together in good faith and to risk boldly for the future.”
Peace
The president went on to say that the "dividends of peace are all around us”, noting that the amount of glass in the Ulster University building wouldn't have “stood up very well” in the past in the city.
“This place is transformed by peace, made technicolour by peace, made whole by peace,” he said.
“So today, I come to Belfast to pledge for all the people of Northern Ireland, the United States of America will continue to be your partner in building the future the young people of our world deserve.
“It matters to us, to Americans, and to me personally. It genuinely matters.
“So, let's celebrate 25 extraordinary years by recommitting to renewal and repair; by making this exceptional peace a birthright of every child in Northern Ireland for all the days to come.
“That is what we should be doing, God willing you'll be able to do it.”
Irish trip
President Biden will now travel south and is expected to arrive into Dublin Airport at around 3pm this afternoon.
He will then travel to Louth where he will visit Carlingford Castle before taking part in a walkabout in Dundalk.
President Biden is due to visit Áras an Uachtaráin on Thursday where he will meet President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
He is also due to make an address to the Oireachtas that afternoon.
Later on Thursday, he will attend a gala dinner at Dublin Castle.
On Friday he will travel to Mayo where he will make a public address outside St Muredach’s Cathedral in Ballina.
The event is open to the public and you can register to attend here.
