Joe Biden has praised Rishi Sunak’s post-Brexit deal with the EU and said it could bring “significant” US investment into Northern Ireland. The US president backed the Windsor Framework compromise aimed at ending the protocol row, as he shared his hopes that Northern Irish parties will return to powersharing arrangements “soon”.
Mr Biden was careful not to mention the DUP’s refusal to return to Stormont during his speech in Belfast yesterday – but insisted that getting stable, devolved government up and running could deliver an economic windfall for the region. In a keynote address at Ulster University marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, Mr Biden said the protocol deal opposed by the DUP was an “essential step” in making sure peace and progress were “preserved and strengthened”.
The president said: “As a friend, I hope it’s not too presumptuous for me to say that I believe the democratic institutions established in the Good Friday Agreement remain critical for the future of Northern Ireland. It’s a decision for you to make – not for me to make, but it seems to me they are related. An effective devolved government ... a government that works to find ways through hard problems together, is going to draw even greater opportunity in this region,” he told the Belfast audience.
Mr Biden added: “So, I hope the assembly and the executive will soon be restored. That’s a judgement for you to make, not me, but I hope it happens, along with the institutions that facilitate north-south and east-west relations, all of which are vital pieces of the Good Friday Agreement.”
Denne historien er fra April 13, 2023-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 13, 2023-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England's selection issues in a defining year for Stokes
England’s busiest year of Test cricket finished with a bang. Just not the type they were after.
Jesus scores hat-trick to secure Arsenal comeback
Gabriel Jesus scored a second-half hat-trick as Arsenal staged an impressive fightback to book their place in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup with a 3-2 win against Crystal Palace.
Reds survive late surge to reach Carabao Cup semis
After a full and imposing pre-season under his belt, Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott had lofty ambitions this season. Could he crack a regular starting spot? The diminutive left-footed playmaker, signed amid so much promise from Fulham five years ago, certainly would not have anticipated his first start of the season coming in mid-December. But on a torrential night on the south coast, Elliott shone brightest as the Carabao Cup holders, ultimately, sneaked through at Southampton last night.
Rashford's love affair with Man Utd nears its sad end
Forward ready for a new challenge’ after baffling slump
Inflation is up again... and it's fired by 'greedflation'
With inflation jumping to 2.6 per cent, is it time to start discussing \"greedflation\"? This was a hot topic a year ago when critics said companies were failing to pass on the falling costs they were benefitting from as inflation came down. Even the Bank of England voiced concern.
Edgar-Jones misses mark in Tennessee Williams classic
The star of 'Normal People' fails to achieve emotional lift-off in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' stage return, writes Alice Saville
Fergie may be the key to a peaceful palace Christmas
When it comes to royal ructions, Prince Andrew is the gift that keeps on giving. Step forward someone not traditionally known for being the voice of calm, writes Harry Mount
It's no Holiday living in a 'perfect' Cotswolds cottage
If the classic Christmas romcom makes you fantasise about moving to a beautiful old house in the countryside, then Simon Mills, who just did that, has this warning for you
This 'cuspy Waspi' woman is furious at Labour's deceit
\"I've always been pleased that I was born at the end of the Fifties. It was a time when you could easily get a GP appointment, and when schools had new buildings. War-time rationing was over. Clothes were colourful, toys were plentiful, and I had the Sixties music of The Beatles, Dusty Springfield and The Monkees as the soundtrack of my childhood.
Musk-Farage meeting hands a political gift to Starmer
The talks between Nigel Farage and Elon Musk at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida have highlighted the urgent need to reform the UK's archaic rules on how political parties are funded. No money for Reform UK was agreed and Farage described reports of a $100m donation by Musk as \"for the birds\".
