Friday, November 3, 2023

Rishi Sunak Urges Stormont Return Before Joe Biden’s Visit to Mark Good Friday Agreement

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Rishi Sunak has praised the “bravery, perseverance and political imagination” of the leaders who shaped Northern Ireland’s peace deal, the Good Friday Agreement, on its 25th anniversary. The 1998 Agreement ended the decades-long Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the Prime Minister has called on local politicians to “get on with the business of governance”. To mark the milestone, Mr Sunak will welcome US President Joe Biden to Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

Mr Sunak praised the Agreement, saying it was “born of partnership between the British and Irish governments” and continues to enjoy “huge international support from our closest allies”. He also paid tribute to those who had taken difficult decisions and accepted compromise, and those who had lost their lives in the Troubles.

Northern Ireland was created in 1921 when the rest of Ireland became an independent state, creating a split between unionists who wanted it to remain part of the UK and nationalists who wanted it to become part of the Republic of Ireland. This led to the Troubles, which lasted until 1998.

Mr 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”. He added that it was his responsibility to deliver for people in Northern Ireland.

The region has been without a power-sharing government since February 2022, when the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) collapsed the Stormont executive. The DUP is boycotting Stormont because of objections to post-Brexit trade rules agreed between the EU and UK. The Windsor Framework, which was adopted last month, is designed to make trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK easier.

When President Biden visits Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening, he will 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.

During his three days in the Republic of Ireland, Mr Biden will attend engagements in Dublin, County Louth, and County Mayo. He is expected to address the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) on Thursday.

On the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised the “bravery, perseverance and political imagination” of those who shaped it. He called on local politicians to “get on with the business of governance” and said it was his responsibility to deliver for people in Northern Ireland. To mark the milestone, Mr Sunak will welcome US President Joe Biden to Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

The 1998 Agreement ended Northern Ireland’s decades-long Troubles and was based on compromise between unionists and nationalists. It was born of partnership between the British and Irish governments and continues to enjoy international support from allies.

Northern Ireland has been without a power-sharing government since February 2022, when the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) collapsed the Stormont executive. The DUP is boycotting Stormont because of objections to post-Brexit trade rules agreed between the EU and UK. The Windsor Framework, which was adopted last month, is designed to make trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK easier.

When President Biden visits Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening, he will 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. During his three days in the Republic of Ireland, Mr Biden will attend engagements in Dublin, County Louth, and County Mayo. He is expected to address the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) on Thursday.

Mr Sunak said it was important to reflect on the progress made since 1998 but also recommit to redoubling efforts on fulfilling the promise made by the Agreement. He added that it was his responsibility to deliver for people in Northern Ireland and that he stands ready to work with partners in the Irish government and local parties to ensure that institutions are up and running again soon. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he plans to “intensify” engagement with Mr Sunak on the Windsor Framework and power-sharing in Northern Ireland.

On Sunday, Mr Varadkar said he was delighted that President Biden would be visiting Ireland and that they had discussed looking ahead rather than backwards when they spoke recently at the White House. As part of his visit, President Biden will make a speech at Ulster University’s newly-opened Belfast campus on Wednesday and address business and civic leaders as well as political parties. During his three days in the Republic of Ireland, he will attend engagements in Dublin, County Louth, and County Mayo before addressing the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) on Thursday.

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