WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden often refers to his Irish roots, but noted that his visit to the Emerald Isle, as Ireland is called, is no vacation.
Speaking to reporters, Biden stressed the importance of the 1998 accord that brought peace after decades of sectarian strife between predominantly Catholic nationalists and predominantly Protestant unionists.
The first advocated the unification of Northern Ireland with the rest of the island, while the second wanted to remain in the United Kingdom.
During the three-day tour, Biden will visit Dublin, the capital of Ireland, and visit Ballin, a small town where his ancestors once lived.
However, its main task is to “ensure that the Irish agreements and the Windsor agreements remain in force”. “We have to keep the peace, that’s the main thing,” he said.
It is not an easy task.
This world was tested by Brexit, when the United Kingdom, along with Northern Ireland, left the European Union, while the rest of the island remained in the EU.
White House officials said Biden would bring his years of experience to the task.
“President Biden has a deep interest in Northern Ireland and has long been a champion of peace and prosperity in the region,” said John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator at the National Security Council. “As a senator, Joe Biden advocated for the United States to play a constructive role in supporting peace.”
Democrats and Republicans in the United States want the island to succeed, analysts say.
“Investments can go to the region. There may be special envoys who will continue to invest. I think we also need to work on building trust,†Donatien Rui, who studies Brexit and European affairs at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told media.
“After the Good Friday Agreement, we all thought that peace was already achieved. This is actually the moment when this work received a serious boost,†she added.
The leader of the independent Republic of Ireland explained what was at stake.
“We want the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement restored so that they can give hope to a new generation,†Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said during his visit to the White House in March to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Biden. “And we would like the people of Northern Ireland to benefit from the rich economic opportunities available to them.”
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