Highlights of Biden’s speech at Belfast

Here are the key moments from US President Joe Biden’s speech in Belfast:

  • Biden hailed the signing of the Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago this week and said “peace was not inevitable – we can never forget that”
  • He said that preserving the peace of the agreement was a “priority” for US Democrats and Republicans alike
  • He said he hoped the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Executive “will soon be restored”, but added, “that’s a decision for you to make”
  • He spoke about the recent attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Omagh and said levels of violence witnessed during the Troubles must not be allowed to return
  • He said Northern Ireland’s GDP has more than doubled since the agreement was signed in 1998
  • Biden encouraged leaders in the UK and the EU to address issues created by Brexit in a way that serves Northern Ireland’s best interests.