New Secretary of State John Kerry met with Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore at the State Department on Monday, and both spoke of the close ties between Ireland and the U.S.
Kerry and Gilmore met earlier this month at Shannon Airport during a stopover visit that Kerry made, and he said he appreciated the brief hospitality.
“He was kind enough to come all the way to Shannon Airport the other day to meet me when I was coming back from the Middle East. And we had a wonderful – I can’t even remember, it was early morning or late afternoon, it was such a mix. But we had a great visit,” said Kerry.
“You know what Ireland means to America, and particularly to those of us from Boston. We are so appreciative for the partnership for the EU presidency and the agenda of Ireland right now as the EU president. And in addition to that, the trade initiatives, the economic initiatives, their leadership on human rights and other issues, and the process that continues to bring peace to Northern Ireland.”
Gilmore said Ireland was grateful for American support for the peace process.
“We’re hugely appreciative of the support that the United States and successive administrations have given to the efforts to bring peace to Northern Ireland and to maintain the peace in Ireland,” he said.
“We have a particular relationship now because Ireland holds the presidency of the European Union at this critical time when we are beginning the process of developing a trade and investment partnership between the United States and the European Union, which I believe will be to the mutual benefit of both the U.S. and Europe, and particularly Ireland because of the large amount of direct investment that we got from the United States.”
2 Comments
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.casualMBA | Mar 22, 2013, 05:59 PM EDT
I once met, by chance, then Senator John Kerry on a Georgetown street and said, "Thank you, Senator, for what you have done" (your service) "for our nation."...Senator Kerry looked me in the eye and, though he did not know me, said sincerely "Thank you, Sir, for your service." Despite Tanaiste Gilmore's untimely antics regarding Savannah, I would hope I could make a similar comment to Ireland's Deputy, should there be a chance encounter in the future.
IrelandNorth | Mar 21, 2013, 04:19 PM EDT
I reckon the Shannon stop over from the Middle East was a nod and a wink apropos USAF continued usage thereof re Iraq and Afghanistan. Personally, I don't always agree with US foreign policy, but rarely if ever disagree with the US itself. Some of us never forget the refuge and succour America gave Irish regugees fleeing imperial persecution in theri own country. The US is key in helping to normalise the relationship between the British and/or Irish Isles, so as to positively influence their respective mainland.