U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) recently joined more than a dozen of her colleagues in offering a bipartisan resolution to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, an historic compromise that marked the beginning of a new era of peaceful political engagement in Northern Ireland.
“The inclusive power-sharing system established by the Good Friday Agreement was a landmark achievement that established a framework for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland,” Sen. Collins said on Monday.
Senate Resolution (S.Res.) 157 also would affirm support for the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement — signed on April 10, 1998 by the governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom and also known as the Belfast Agreement — as well as subsequent agreements and arrangements toward advancing peace in Ireland.
“Over the past 25 years, political leaders in Northern Ireland, along with the British and Irish governments, have made enormous progress, though important issues remain unresolved,” said Sen. Collins. “Our resolution encourages all parties to continue to work toward the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, as well as subsequent agreements that promote peace and stability on the island of Ireland.”
Sen. Collins on March 30 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of S.Res. 157 alongside 12 other original cosponsors and bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ).
“Even on this momentous anniversary, we must remain mindful that the work of the agreement continues,” said Sen. Menendez. “I continue to support our partners’ efforts to advance stability and prosperity, including through the full implementation of the Windsor Framework and Stormont House Agreement, and look forward to working together to advance accountability and reconciliation for all who live in Northern Ireland.”
Additionally, the resolution calls for continued attention and action to resolve injustices of past violence, reaffirms support for the right of all people on the island to self-determination, and encourages renewed efforts to preserve the rich language, literature, and arts of Northern Ireland, according to a summary of the resolution provided by the lawmakers.
The resolution also underscores the great value the United States places on its relationship with both the UK and Ireland, and support by the U.S. for the peaceful resolution of any and all political challenges in Northern Ireland, the summary says.