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Taoiseach Micheál Martin and US President-elect Joe Biden spoke for more than 20 minutes tonight.
The call was described as very warm and Mr. Biden reaffirmed his deep commitment to the Good Friday Agreement.
Biden told the Taoiseach that he sees Ireland as a key bridge builder in his efforts to restore good relations between the United States and the EU.
Biden said he wants to create the conditions for a global economic recovery and also spoke about his commitment to addressing climate change.
He told Mr. Martin that he would immediately sign the Paris Agreement after he was sworn in on January 20.
Biden spoke extensively about his Irish connections and was aware of Mayo’s win against Roscommon at the Connacht Football Championship last Sunday.
He also spoke about his strong desire to visit Ireland as President of the United States.
I had a warm and engaging call with the president-elect of the United States. @Joe Biden He brings tremendous knowledge and understanding to his new role and has a great love for his Irish heritage. He highlighted his commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and we talked about the importance of multilateralism.
– Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 10, 2020
A government statement read: “A Taoiseach Micheál Martin and President-elect Joe Biden spoke by phone this afternoon.
“A Taoiseach congratulated President-elect Biden and Kamala Harris on their remarkable election victory.
In a warm conversation, President-elect Biden recalled his strong Irish roots and his visit to Ireland with his family in 2016.
The president-elect reaffirmed his full support for the Good Friday Agreement and discussed the importance of a Brexit outcome that respects the AMG and guarantees the non-return of a border on the island of Ireland.
“They looked forward to working together bilaterally and in a variety of international areas, including EU-US relations, the UN, including the Security Council, and on the significant global challenges of Covid-19, economic recovery and climate change”.
On the subject of visiting Ireland, Joe Biden tells Micheál Martin that “they will have to stop me.” @rtenews
– Mícheál Lehane (@MichealLehane) November 10, 2020
Previously, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that Biden’s election was “good for Ireland in many ways.”
McDonald told the Dáil: “As we know, he is proud of his Irish roots and is undoubtedly an old friend from Ireland.
“During the presidential election campaign and indeed during his tenure, he has acted to promote and protect peace, progress and the Good Friday Agreement.
“He arrives at the office of the president at a time of the British government’s threat of Brexit and its refusal to comply with the agreements that are coming.
Biden also spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “On a call this afternoon, the Prime Minister warmly congratulated Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States.
The Prime Minister also conveyed his congratulations to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on her historic achievement.
I just talked with @Joe Biden to congratulate you on your choice. I look forward to strengthening the partnership between our countries and working with him on our shared priorities, from addressing climate change to promoting democracy and building back better after the pandemic.
– Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 10, 2020
“They spoke of the close and lasting relationship between our countries and committed to developing this partnership in the coming years, in areas such as trade and security, including through NATO.
“The prime minister and the president-elect also looked forward to working closely on their shared priorities, from addressing climate change to promoting democracy and building back better after the coronavirus pandemic.
“The prime minister invited the president-elect to attend the COP26 climate change summit that the UK is hosting in Glasgow next year. They also hoped to see each other in person, including when the UK is hosting the G7 summit in 2021 “.
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