Taoiseach Simon Harris and US President Joe Biden discuss Gaza ...
Joe Biden and Simon Harris
Taoiseach Simon Harris and US President Joe Biden have discussed Gaza and Ukraine on their first phone call since Mr Harris took office.
President Biden set up the call to congratulate the Fine Gael TD on taking over as Taoiseach.
The two leaders spoke about power-sharing in Northern Ireland, the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and the ongoing work of the US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, Joe Kennedy.
A note on the meeting said they also discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the need for an immediate ceasefire, for all hostages to be released and for aid to flow freely.
The Taoiseach briefed President Biden on the Ukraine Peace Summit held in Switzerland over the weekend. He met with US Vice President Kamala Harris during that event.
President Biden told the Taoiseach the United States would continue to support Ukraine and the world must stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Mr Harris and President Biden discussed the deep and growing economic ties between Ireland and the United States.
The Taoiseach also thanked the President for his enduring friendship to Ireland.
President Biden is now into an election race with former President Donald Trump.
It remains very unclear who is likely to be president when a Taoiseach visits the White House next March for St Patrick’s Day.
And indeed with speculation mounting of an autumn election here it remains uncertain whether Mr Harris will be making that journey.
Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 17th
