U.S. President Joe Biden met with U.K. officials in London on Thursday as reports emerged of a police document being found on a street in Belfast. The document, which was reportedly discovered on Wednesday, contained details of a potential dissident republican attack on a police officer in Northern Ireland.
The discovery of the document has heightened concerns about the security situation in the region, which has seen a recent increase in violence. Speaking to reporters after meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, President Biden expressed his concern about the situation in Northern Ireland and reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to the Good Friday Agreement.
The Good Friday Agreement, signed in 1998, brought an end to decades of conflict in Northern Ireland known as “The Troubles”. The agreement established a power-sharing government in the region and created a framework for cross-border cooperation between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
However, tensions have risen in recent years, with Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol causing political and economic instability in the region. The Protocol, which was agreed as part of the UK’s exit from the European Union, requires checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain, which has angered some unionists who feel it undermines Northern Ireland’s place within the UK.
President Biden has previously expressed his support for the Good Friday Agreement and warned that the U.S.-UK trade deal could be affected if the agreement is jeopardized. During his meeting with Prime Minister Johnson, he reiterated the importance of the agreement and the need to protect the peace process.
The discovery of the police document in Belfast serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of violence in the region. The document reportedly contained details of a planned attack on a police officer by dissident republicans, who reject the peace process and continue to engage in violent activity.
In response to the discovery of the document, Northern Ireland’s Chief Constable Simon Byrne said that the threat level to police officers in the region is at its highest in years. He called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.
President Biden’s visit to the U.K. is part of his first overseas trip since taking office in January. He will attend the G7 summit in Cornwall and then travel to Brussels for a NATO summit and a meeting with European Union leaders. His visit comes at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia and China, and the U.S. president is expected to use the trip to strengthen ties with U.S. allies in Europe.
