“As Taoiseach, it’s going to be a very special moment to welcome a great Irish-American President, Joe Biden, home to Ireland.”
After weeks of reports, The White House has confirmed that Joe Biden will visit the island of Ireland from Tuesday, 11 April to Friday, 14 April.
A statement from The White House’s Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says that the US President will first travel to Belfast from Tuesday, 11 April to Wednesday, 12 April to mark the “tremendous progress” since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago.
It is also said that Biden wants “to underscore the readiness of the United States to support Northern Ireland’s vast economic potential to the benefit of all communities”.
After spending time in Belfast, the US President will then travel to the Republic from Wednesday, 12 April to Friday, 14 April where he will discuss the US and Ireland’s “close cooperation on the full range of shared global challenges”.
“He will also hold various engagements, including in Dublin, County Louth, and County Mayo, where he will deliver an address to celebrate the deep, historic ties that link our countries and people,” the White House statement reads.
“Additional information about the trip will be forthcoming.”
Leo Varadkar and Joe Biden meeting at The White House on St. Patrick’s Day 2023
In a video message regarding Biden’s visit, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said:
“It will be a privilege and an honour for us to welcome President Joe Biden to Ireland, especially as we mark 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement.
“The involvement of the United States and of President Biden personally has been essential to the peace process in Ireland.
“So, it’s fitting that President Biden will be here to mark this significant milestone with us.
“His visit is also a statement about the strength, warmth and depth of the wider relationship between Ireland and the United States.”
Referencing Biden’s well-publicised affinity for Ireland and his family ties in Louth and Mayo, Varadkar added:
“As Taoiseach, it’s going to be a very special moment to welcome a great Irish-American President, Joe Biden, home to Ireland.”
It will be a privilege and an honour for us to welcome President Biden to Ireland @POTUS pic.twitter.com/8H4C6lGP8b
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) April 5, 2023
Main image via Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
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