US Senate to voice support for Good Friday Agreement

A resolution is to be introduced in the US Senate next week voicing support for the Good Friday Agreement.

The motion is being advanced by Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and by Republican Senator Susan Collins.

The bipartisan resolution is expected to be unveiled early next week, before St Patrick’s Day.

It is the latest expression of support for the Good Friday Agreement from the US Congress.

On Wednesday, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney and European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič, gave a virtual briefing to members of the Friends of Ireland caucus on Capitol Hill.

Mr Coveney said the meeting was an opportunity to take stock of recent developments in Northern Ireland and the UK’s unilateral move on the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Last week, the UK government announced the extension of the grace period for post-Brexit supermarket agri-food movements from Britain to Northern Ireland.

The EU said it was a potential breach of international law and contrary to the good faith provision of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will meet virtually with US President Joe Biden next week for the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations.