US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meet in Belfast, Northern Ireland, April 12, 2023. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The two expressed their hope that Northern Ireland’s institutions will be restored as soon as possible, and said this visit is an opportunity to evaluate the progress of Northern Ireland over the past 25 years and commit to building a brighter future.

According to the Telegraph, Sunak said the two countries are close partners and allies and the two discussed economic investment in Northern Ireland as well as foreign policy issues.

During a brief conversation with party leaders in Northern Ireland, Biden said that protecting the peace, and preserving the Good Friday Agreement is a priority for Democrats and Republicans alike in the US.

In a keynote address at Ulster University in Belfast, Biden said that although Brexit has created challenges in Northern Ireland, the Windsor Framework, a post-Brexit deal between UK and EU, is an important step in maintaining and consolidating the Good Friday Agreement.