WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) on Saturday sent a letter to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson in support of protecting the Good Friday Agreement and preserving peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland amid ongoing negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

“We write today with respect to the ongoing negotiations between your government and the European Union over the Northern Ireland Protocol,” the senators wrote. “As close friends and allies, we hope that your concerns can be addressed through these negotiations. We also wish to communicate the strong interest from Congress in ensuring that the Good Friday Agreement is protected in any future arrangements.”

The senators continued, “We are concerned, however, that a failure to reach a negotiated solution could result in an escalation of tensions that may adversely affect the Good Friday Agreement and the communities of Northern Ireland.”

“We appreciate your government’s commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and preserving peace and stability in Northern Ireland. As you know, the United States played an important role forging this peace and ensuring it endures is a priority for our country,” the senators concluded.

In October 2020, Murphy and Toomey released a statement of support for the Good Friday Agreement.

You can read the full letter below and here.

Dear Prime Minister Johnson,

We write today with respect to the ongoing negotiations between your government and the European Union over the Northern Ireland Protocol. As close friends and allies, we hope that your concerns can be addressed through these negotiations. We also wish to communicate the strong interest from Congress in ensuring that the Good Friday Agreement is protected in any future arrangements.

We believe these arrangements are exclusively a matter for the United Kingdom and European Union to determine and trust that you will conclude a successful negotiation. We are concerned, however, that a failure to reach a negotiated solution could result in an escalation of tensions that may adversely affect the Good Friday Agreement and the communities of Northern Ireland.

We appreciate your government’s commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and preserving peace and stability in Northern Ireland. As you know, the United States played an important role forging this peace and ensuring it endures is a priority for our country. We are grateful for your attention to this matter and look forward to working with you on this and other important issues in the coming months.

Sincerely, 

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