Northern Ireland

President Joe Biden's visit offers 'opportunity to attract economic investment and create good jobs for our people'

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a meeting with US President Joe Biden at Point Loma naval base in San Diego US. Picture by Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a meeting with US President Joe Biden at Point Loma naval base in San Diego US. Picture by Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a meeting with US President Joe Biden at Point Loma naval base in San Diego US. Picture by Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

JOE Biden's plan to visit Ireland to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement has been described as an "opportunity to attract economic investment and create good jobs for our people".

The president is expected to visit both the north and the Republic next month.

He was formally invited to Northern Ireland earlier this week by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as the pair met for talks in California.

Stormont politicians are in Washington this week ahead of the St Patrick's Day celebrations.

They are expected to receive further details of the presidential visit, which comes a matter of weeks after the EU and UK agreed the Windsor Framework, a revised version of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

 

Stormont speaker Alex Maskey invited the US president a number of weeks ago to address the assembly during his visit.

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Sinn Féin's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill said President Biden's visit will see the eyes of the world on the island.

Ms O'Neill said: “Now that a presidential visit has been confirmed, I would be delighted to welcome President Biden to Belfast as we mark 25 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in a few weeks’ time.

“The United States has been a key partner for peace in Ireland and such a visit demonstrates its continued commitment, which is deeply valued.

“As the eyes of the world turn to our island once more, we must use this opportunity to attract economic Investment and create good jobs for our people."

The Good Friday Agreement was signed on April 10 1998. There are various events planned to mark the anniversary of the accord, with President Biden's predecessor Bill Clinton expected to visit Belfast along with former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

Speaking in California, the president said of the Good Friday Agreement: "Twenty-five years? It seems like yesterday."

He confirmed his intention to visit both Northern Ireland and the Republic.

First Minister designate Michelle O’Neill said she would be delighted to welcome the president to Belfast.

President Joe Biden's visit offers 'opportunity to attract economic investment and create good jobs for our people'
President Joe Biden's visit offers 'opportunity to attract economic investment and create good jobs for our people'

“The United States has been a key partner for peace in Ireland and such a visit demonstrates its continued commitment, which is deeply valued," she said.

“As the eyes of the world turn to our island once more, we must use this opportunity to attract economic Investment and create good jobs for our people."

SDLP MP Claire Hanna said the planned visit was good news.

"It reminds us that the Good Friday Agreement is an incredible achievement, even if there are parts that need refreshed," she told the BBC.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell welcomed the visit but said neither the British government or the US administration should use it for "ulterior political motives".