The Speaker of the US House of Representatives and a Congressional delegation of influential US politicians have been visiting the border this morning.
Nancy Pelosi visited the border between Derry and Donegal today as she continued her Irish visit today.
The delegation is due to take part in a series of engagements in the North throughout the day – with a reception in the Guild Hall in Derry this afternoon.
Delivering a speech in the Dáil chamber in Dublin yesterday she warned that Brexit cannot be allowed to undermine the Good Friday Agreement.
Good Friday Agreement
Speaking this morning, she said US support for the Irish peace process would remain steadfast.
“We are guarantors of the Good Friday agreement because we believe it is fair to both sides,” she said. “That is why they agreed to it.”
“We believe that Brexit should be just an aberration in this discussion as we continue to build and strengthen the peace that was generated by the Good Friday accords.”
She said the peace process was essential – not just for this island but for “what it means to the world, to have this example of reconciliation.”
The speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi holds a press conference at Bridgened in County Donegal, 18-04-2019. Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA ImagesBrexit
Speaking in Dublin on Tuesday, Ms Pelosi warned that there would be no new trade deal between the US and the UK if Brexit harms the Irish peace process.
She said UK officials should 'not think for one minute' that there is "any comfort for them in the fact that if they leave the EU, they would quickly have a US / UK trade agreement."
"That is just not on the cards if there is any harm done to the Good Friday accords," she said.
"Don't even think about that."
The delegation this morning visited the Ulster University in Derry – where Congressman Richie Neal was awarded an honorary degree for his contribution to US/Irish relations.
