US President Biden said that he would “soon” visit the island of Ireland, BGNES reported.
He hosted Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the White House as part of St. Patrick’s Day events.
Biden has not yet confirmed whether he will visit Northern Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement next month.
He ignored most questions from reporters during the Oval Office press conference, but when asked about the visit to Ireland he said it would happen “soon.”
The president also used his engagements on Friday to express his strong support for the new Windsor framework. “This is an important, vital step and it will help ensure that all people in Northern Ireland have the opportunity to realize their full potential,” he told Northern Ireland’s political leaders at lunch in the Capitol.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he had extended an invitation to the president to visit Northern Ireland to take part in events related to the peace agreement.
Political leaders from the island of Ireland are in Washington for St Patrick’s Day Mr. Varadkar said he appreciated the US’s “support and understanding” on Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol in recent years.
US presidents traditionally visit Ireland during mid-term. Joe Biden has talked a lot about his Irish roots and is expected to make a trip that includes Northern Ireland, Dublin, and County Mayo, where his ancestors hail from.
