Ireland owes a lot to US President Joe Biden who was a ‘voice for peace’, says Taoiseach – The Irish Times

Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris described US President Joe Biden as a voice of reason, effective multilateralism and common solutions.

In a statement issued following the US president’s announcement that he would not run for re-election, Harris said that as Taoiseach he would like to thank Biden for his global leadership and said he looked forward to working with him for the remainder of his presidency.

President Biden recognized early on that Russia’s war in Ukraine was not just an illegal invasion of a neighbor by a permanent member of the UN Security Council, but an attack on international law and democratic freedom.

“When we spoke by phone last month, President Biden and I discussed his plans for a ceasefire in Israel’s war in Gaza. This plan remains the only way to stop the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, release hostages, and allow aid to flow freely. I am glad that the President will continue to focus on this in the weeks and months ahead.”

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“In every office he has held, Mr Biden has been a steadfast voice and passionate champion for peace on the island of Ireland, and our country owes him much for that,” Harris said.

“On a personal level, President Biden is a proud American with an Irish soul. When he arrived in Belfast, Louth and Mayo last year, he himself said it was like coming home.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Micheál Martin said he heard the news of the US President’s decision not to run for re-election “with both sadness and admiration”.

President Biden, he said, is a loyal friend of Ireland and provides invaluable support for peace and prosperity on the island.

“His visit last year will long be remembered as a powerful and joyful celebration of our relationship with the United States,” Mr. Martin said.

“This was undoubtedly the most difficult decision but, as always, it was taken with dignity and class. I know the people of Ireland will wish President Biden well.”