Biden Arrives in Belfast to Celebrate 25 Years of Peace in Northern Ireland

US President Joe Biden arrived in Belfast on Tuesday to begin his four-day trip to Northern Ireland and Ireland. He will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which ended the violent conflict in Northern Ireland that had lasted 30 years. During his visit, he is expected to participate in various meetings and events to trace his family history in Ireland.

Biden was welcomed by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on his arrival in Belfast at 9:16 pm local time. The two leaders had met in San Diego last month for the announcement of Australia’s nuclear submarine deal as part of the trilateral security agreement called AUKUS.

On Wednesday, Biden will meet Sunak again for a bilateral meeting. Afterwards, he will deliver a speech at Ulster University to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement.

During his speech, Biden will acknowledge the significant progress made since the agreement was signed and emphasise the US’s willingness to maintain that progress and support the vast economic potential of Northern Ireland for the benefit of all communities. John Kirby, White House National Security spokesman, informed reporters on April 10 that Biden fully supports Northern Ireland’s peace and prosperity and has consistently shown his commitment throughout his career.

The signing of the agreement on April 10, 1998, brought peace between unionists, who wished to keep Northern Ireland part of the UK, and nationalists, who aimed to integrate it into the Republic of Ireland. The deal brought an end to over 3,500 deaths caused by thirty years of violence.

The president’s visit coincides with a tense period in Northern Ireland.