For the second 12 months in a row, President Biden was compelled to forgo the normal in-person St. Patrick’s Day assembly with Ireland’s prime minister after the visiting dignitary examined optimistic for COVID-19 Wednesday night time.
Biden greeted Taoiseach Micheál Martin from the Oval Office Thursday and mentioned he was “deeply sorry for the inconvenience” earlier than noting the 2 had briefly interacted the day earlier than, previous to Martin returning a optimistic check.
“I did, at a little distance for seven and a half minutes, get to see you yesterday and your beautiful wife,” the president mentioned, referring to the Ireland Funds Gala on the National Building Museum.
Both leaders had attended the occasion, which Martin was compelled to depart early after his check outcome got here again.
“Last year we met virtually across the Atlantic, this year we’re meeting virtually across the road,” joked Martin, who was confined to Blair House throughout the road from the White House. “We’re getting closer!”
The two leaders wore inexperienced ties and shamrock boutonnieres in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. A video display screen was arrange within the place Martin would have sat had they met in individual.
At the gala, Martin sat maskless subsequent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) whereas Biden delivered remarks.
The White House later told CBS News that the president “was not a close contact” of Martin.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an in depth contact is somebody who’s “less than 6 feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.”
During their digital assembly, Biden famous that the US and Ireland will work collectively on local weather change, financial alternatives and combating COVID-19.
He additionally praised the Taoiseach for Ireland taking in Ukrainian refugees amid the continued Russian invasion.
“What you are doing, taking Ukrainian refugees, speaks so loudly about your principles and it’s amazing. I want to publicly compliment you for it,” Biden mentioned.
Biden additionally emphasised the US’ assist of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, saying “too much blood, sweat, and tears were shed” for that to vary.
In his remarks, Martin praised Biden’s management as “firm,” “determined” and “strong.”
“The US, the European Union, and United Kingdom, Canada and other like-minded democracies are coming together to respond in an unprecedented way to this barbaric attack on the women and children of Ukraine and the young people, who are dying in this unjustified and immoral war,” he mentioned.
“I think it’s extremely important that we keep this unity of purpose,” Martin continued, including that Ireland will proceed to “do everything we possibly can on humanitarian fronts” in addition to supporting broad sanctions towards Moscow.
Biden and Martin didn’t take any questions.
The post Biden holds virtual meeting with Irish PM after dignitary’s positive COVID test first appeared on Umorr.
