President Joe Biden arrived in Belfast on Tuesday evening to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which ended three decades of violence between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K. The president is expected to hold talks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and representatives from Northern Ireland's fractious political parties during his visit.
While few expect significant progress in resolving a new political crisis that has rattled the peace deal and left Northern Ireland’s government on ice, Biden's visit serves as "recognition that the peace process isn’t in a good place," according to diplomatic sources. It also aims "to remind us of the achievements of the past 25 years."
The historic agreement signed on April 10, 1998 committed armed groups to stop fighting and ended direct U.S. rule. In addition, it established a Northern Ireland legislature and government designed for power sharing between British unionist and Irish nationalist parties. While small dissident armed groups continue occasional attacks – such as police finding four suspected pipe bombs in Londonderry cemetery earlier this week – overall stability has improved.
During his four-day trip, President Biden will address a packed parliament building overlooking Belfast before spending part of his day in County Louth, Ireland where he'll trace his Irish family roots. He will also tour Carlingsdale Castle dating back to the 12th century.
Despite excitement about Biden's visit among some residents on Belfast streets, several have noted its brevity compared with other parts of his journey through Europe.
Meanwhile tensions are said to be brewing behind-the-scenes regarding scheduling conflicts between President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak; notably their respective visits around Ulster University campus at different times while they both remain present within city limits.
Former First Minister Arlene Foster openly criticized President Biden during an interview with conservative outlet GB News, saying the president "hates the UK, I don't think there's any doubt about that."
A relatively small crowd gathered near the Grand Central Hotel in Belfast ahead of Biden's meeting with Sunak. The PSNI presence was not overwhelming due to the fact that terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland was raised to "severe" on March 28.
During his visit, President Joe Biden is expected to address both houses of Irish parliament in Dublin and speak publicly outside St. Muredach’s Cathedral in Ballina, County Mayo at around 9 p.m. local time. While significant investment offers may accompany his speeches, it remains unclear how they will impact ongoing tensions within Northern Ireland.
The region has been ruled by civil servants for months after pro-British party DUP abandoned power-sharing regional executive and Stormont assembly arrangements; Unionist politicians have not hesitated expressing their views on Biden during this week - accusing him of wanting Irish reunification and being “anti-British.”