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A foreign policy adviser to Joe Biden has said that the Democratic presidential candidate is committed to preserving the hard-won peace and stability in Northern Ireland.
In a tweet in response to the latest Brexit developments, Biden’s adviser Antony Blinken wrote: “As the UK and the EU work on their relationship, any arrangement must protect the Good Friday Agreement and prevent the return of a hard border “.
It comes amid concerns over the UK government’s plans to introduce a new bill to nullify elements of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal with Brussels.
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told House of Commons MPs that legislation to ensure Northern Ireland can continue to enjoy unrestricted access to markets in the rest of the UK would violate international law of a “very specific and limited way”.
The Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the United States House of Representatives, Democratic Congressman Richard Neal, has urged both sides in the Brexit negotiations to respect the terms of their joint agreement, in particular regarding the Irish deal. from North.
The Ways and Means Committee will oversee any future trade agreements between the United States and the United Kingdom.
“The UK’s exit from the EU at the end of this year and any trade agreement between the US and the UK must preserve the Good Friday Agreement, which has maintained peace and prosperity for the British and European peoples since 1998.” said Congressman Neal.
“I sincerely hope that the British government upholds the rule of law and fulfills the commitments it made during the Brexit negotiations, in particular with regard to the Irish border protocols,” he added.
It is not the first time that Biden and other high-ranking Democrats have expressed support for the Northern Ireland peace process.
Last month, Biden’s campaign held a virtual rally for Irish-American voters and Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle said at the event that the Brexit process had put Ireland’s hard-won peace and justice at risk.
“Fortunately we have many allies on Capitol Hill. One place that has not been an ally is the Oval Office,” said Congressman Boyle.
“It will be a refreshing change for Joe Biden to come this January. To have someone who supports the Good Friday Agreement and wants to protect it. Someone who is not mindlessly encouraging Brexit no matter the cost,” he added.
Last November, while campaigning for the Democratic nomination, Biden said he cared a great deal about the Northern Ireland peace process and would continue to pressure Britain to ensure there is no return to a hard border after Brexit.
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