Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster will travel to Washington next month where she could meet President Donald Trump, The Impartial Reporter can reveal.
Mrs. Foster, a Fermanagh-South Tyrone MLA, will have meetings with leading figures in American politics at Capitol Hill including a St. Patrick’s Day lunch hosted by the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and addressed by President Trump.
Whether at meetings in the White House or Capitol Hill, Mrs. Foster whose party’s votes are propping up Theresa May’s government will likely discuss the UK’s decision to leave the European Union as well as the need to restore a devolved government in Northern Ireland.
With over 30 days to go until Brexit, a source close to Mrs. Foster said there is “considerable interest” in the Fermanagh woman given her influence at this “significant moment in politics”.
And the source added that Mrs. Foster would use the time to “reiterate the unionist perspective” to key influencers in America, including Senators and members of Congress.
While the schedule is still being finalised, this newspaper understands that Mrs. Foster may also be invited to a special St. Patrick’s reception at the White House hosted by President Trump. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will also attend this event.
Mrs. Foster did not comment when contacted by this newspaper yesterday (Wednesday), but a DUP spokesman said: “America is incredibly important for Northern Ireland both from a political perspective and also from an economic perspective”.
“It is also important that a unionist voice is heard in Washington. Mrs. Foster will attend events around the St. Patrick’s celebrations in the US Capitol. It is a perfect opportunity to speak with key influencers and ensure that US public representatives hear an alternative narrative to that put forward by the Friends of Sinn Fein lobby.”
In 2017 Mrs. Foster, the then First Minister and Martin McGuinness, the then Deputy First Minister invited President Trump to Northern Ireland and assured him of a “warm welcome”.
The joint correspondence, which was published by this newspaper, was sent to the then President-elect following his election victory, while the pair were still in office.
In the letter the ministers offered their “personal congratulations and those of all the people we represent” and highlighted the “strong historical, economic and political ties to the United States”.
“We are proud to say that the United States is our largest inward investor and we believe that our relationship has proved mutually beneficial for both your great country and our small but dynamic region.
“We wish you every success in your new role and we extend an invitation to visit Northern Ireland. You can be assured of a warm welcome,” the letter stated.