THE appointment of a US special envoy for Northern Ireland would send "another clear signal" that President Biden will use his influence for the good of the region, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said.
The Foyle MP's remarks follow reports that a special envoy will be named ahead of next April's 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
Filling the role that has been vacant since Mick Mulvaney departed at the end of Donald Trump’s presidency in January 2021 comes amid the ongoing impasse around the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Reports by Bloomberg yesterday indicated that President Biden was keen to ensure the US has greater influence in the north's affairs in the context of the protocol disagreement and the forthcoming anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
The news site quoted an anonymous White House source saying the announcement was due in the coming weeks.
However, a spokesperson for the US Consulate in Belfast did not corroborate the claim.
"We have no announcements to preview at this time," the spokesperson said.
"The United States remains committed to maintaining peace, prosperity, and stability in Northern Ireland, and sustaining the gains of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement."
Bloomberg also highlighted how under a US law signed a year ago, most special envoys named after January 3 will require Senate approval, a process that its said could take months or even years.
Previous envoys include George Mitchell, Richard Haass and Gary Hart.
In August, a group of US politicians wrote to the president urging him to appoint a special envoy to Northern Ireland.
The letter signed by Bill Keating, chair of the US Foreign Affairs Committee’s Europe Subcommittee, and 34 other bipartisan members of Congress, said an appointment is needed urgently.
Mr Eastwood said President Biden had been a "positive, active and engaged international figure standing up for the interests of people" across Ireland.
"The appointment of a special envoy ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement is another clear signal that the US government has a stake in this place and will use its influence for the good of people here," Mr Eastwood said.
“I hope this news will act as another wake up call in London that our agreement, our peace and progress here is an absolute minimum watermark for any engagement with the US."
