Joe Biden is expected to meet with the leaders of Northern Ireland’s major political parties tomorrow as he seeks to intervene in the stalled political system.
The US president will take advantage of a visit to the UK and Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement underline his country’s ‘dedication to keeping the peace and promoting prosperity’ in Ulster.
His visit comes at a time of political paralysis, with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) blocking the resumption of the power-sharing executive — headed by a Sinn Fein prime minister — over its Brexit grievances.
Biden lands in Belfast tonight, where he is met by Rishi Sunak ahead of a speech in the city tomorrow.
The president is expected to meet with Northern Ireland’s main political parties ahead of a speech at Ulster University.
It came when Tony Blair suggested that he proceed “with care and sensitivity” in his efforts to help.
The US president will use a visit to the UK and Ireland on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement to underline his country’s “commitment to preserving peace and promoting prosperity” in Ulster.
It came when Tony Blair suggested that he proceed “with care and sensitivity” in his efforts to help.
The former Prime Minister, who signed the GFA in 1998, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There is a difference between influence and pressure and one is usually positive, the other can be negative.”
The former Prime Minister, who signed the GFA in 1998, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘The Americans can play an important part in this, but you just have to put them in at the right time and in the right place.
“There is a difference between influence and pressure, and one is usually positive, the other can be negative.”
Biden tweeted last night: “25 years ago Northern Ireland’s leaders chose peace.
The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement ended decades of violence and brought stability.
“I look forward to celebrating the anniversary in Belfast and underlining the US’s commitment to keeping the peace and promoting prosperity.”
Mr Biden will also travel to the Republic of Ireland where he will complete a number of assignments during his four-day stay, including a visit to Co Louth and Co Mayo, where his ancestors hail from.
The visit coincides with the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which largely ended the Troubles in Northern Ireland in 1998.
However, the Stormont power-sharing assembly, which was established in the peace deal, is currently inactive due to a protest against post-Brexit trade arrangements by the DUP, Northern Ireland’s largest trade union party.
There will be a major security operation ahead of Mr Biden’s visit, with more than 300 officers from the rest of the UK being called up to Northern Ireland.
The PSNI has also warned of significant traffic disruption in Belfast during the presidential visit, with a number of roads in the city center already closed.
After leaving town on Wednesday, Biden will cross the border to attend appointments in Co Louth.
The president has traced his ancestral roots to the area and will visit Carlingford Castle in the county before spending the night in Dublin.
He is expected to visit Irish President Michael D Higgins on Thursday.
It has been announced that Dublin’s Phoenix Park will be closed for 24 hours from 5pm on Wednesday to facilitate the visit.
Mr. Higgins’ official residence is located on the grounds of the park.
The White House said Biden will participate in a tree-planting ceremony and the ringing of the peace bell at the president’s official residence, Aras an Uachtarain.
After that ceremony, he will meet again with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who recently hosted Biden for St. Patrick’s Day.
Biden will address the Irish Parliament on Thursday evening and attend a banquet dinner at Dublin Castle.
The president’s trip will conclude on Friday with a visit to Co Mayo, where he also interacted with distant cousins.
He will tour the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock and visit the Family History Department of the North Mayo Heritage and Genealogical Center.
He will then give a public address at St. Muredach’s Cathedral in Ballina.