V‎ice President Biden met with President of Ireland Michael Higgins this morning. The leaders agreed on the paramount importance of continuing to advance the rights of women and ending violence against women in Ireland, the United States, and internationally. The leaders discussed the continuing need for reconciliation in Northern Ireland, particularly the need to deal effectively with the past. T‎hey discussed the vote in the United Kingdom on its membership in the European Union and noted the important, positive role‎ that the European Union has played in consolidating peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. They also discussed the need for the European Union to pursue policies that promote growth across the continent.