London, Thanasis Gavos

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak extended an invitation to US President Joe Biden to visit Northern Ireland for the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Peace Agreement.

The two leaders had a bilateral meeting in San Diego after the tripartite summit AUKUS with the participation of the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, during which the details of the program to build new nuclear-powered submarines by Britain and Australia with the integration of American technology were announced.

The American President responded to the invitation by saying “it is my intention to go to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland”.

The peace deal ended decades of unrest in Northern Ireland, with acts of violence by unionist and republican paramilitary groups.

Signed on 10 April 1998 in Belfast.

Tensions in Northern Ireland in recent years over the controversial protocol for the region that accompanied the Brexit deal had prompted interventions by President Biden, who does not hide his pride in his Irish roots.

Rishi Sunak late last month pushed for a new deal with the EU that replaces the Northern Ireland Protocol. The so-called ‘Windsor Framework’, which reduces controls on trade from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, has been welcomed by the British opposition and some Brexit supporters, although it is still being considered by unionists in Northern Ireland .

The details of the American President’s visit are expected to be announced soon.

Mr. Biden also invited Mr. Sunak to visit Washington for talks.