Daithí
01-10-2008, 11:33 PM
http://www.iais.org/
The President of the European Commission has said he
believes the success story of Northern Ireland's peace
process can be an inspiration to the EU and the outside world.
Jose Manuel Barroso made his comments after a meeting with
Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First
Minister Martin McGuinness today.
Mr Barroso was ill at the start of the week and had to pull
out of a planned official trip to Slovenia yesterday.
However, he got out of his sick bed today to welcome a
delegation from Northern Ireland's new administration to
Brussels.
Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness are seeking EU support to help
underpin the new era of power sharing in Northern Ireland.
While Brussels is positive about Northern Ireland, in
meetings with the likes of the Regional Affairs
Commissioner, Danuta Hubner, the line is that there can be
no dramatic increase in already agreed EU aid.
Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness are also meeting the EU
Agriculture and Fisheries Commissioner, Marian Fischer Boel.
The North's Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew and
junior ministers Ian Paisley Jnr and Gerry Kelly have also
made the trip.
Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern has
welcomed the visit.
He said the visit provided an opportunity 'for all of us to
recognise the supporting role played by the EU throughout
the search for peace in Northern Ireland'.
"The EU has provided strong financial and moral support to
Northern Ireland and to the border counties over the past
two decades."
The European Union has contributed almost €1.5bn (USD$2.28
bn) to Northern Ireland and the border counties to date.
This has been delivered through the successful Peace
Programs (PEACE I and II) and the International Fund for
Ireland.
The new PEACE III Program runs from 2007-2013 and, with a
contribution from both British and Irish Governments, will
distribute €333 million (USD$495 million) to projects.
During his visit to Belfast in May last year, Mr Barroso
announced the establishment of a Commission Task Force on
Northern Ireland to look at how to improve Northern
Ireland's access to and participation in Community policies
and programs.
The President of the European Commission has said he
believes the success story of Northern Ireland's peace
process can be an inspiration to the EU and the outside world.
Jose Manuel Barroso made his comments after a meeting with
Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First
Minister Martin McGuinness today.
Mr Barroso was ill at the start of the week and had to pull
out of a planned official trip to Slovenia yesterday.
However, he got out of his sick bed today to welcome a
delegation from Northern Ireland's new administration to
Brussels.
Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness are seeking EU support to help
underpin the new era of power sharing in Northern Ireland.
While Brussels is positive about Northern Ireland, in
meetings with the likes of the Regional Affairs
Commissioner, Danuta Hubner, the line is that there can be
no dramatic increase in already agreed EU aid.
Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness are also meeting the EU
Agriculture and Fisheries Commissioner, Marian Fischer Boel.
The North's Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew and
junior ministers Ian Paisley Jnr and Gerry Kelly have also
made the trip.
Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern has
welcomed the visit.
He said the visit provided an opportunity 'for all of us to
recognise the supporting role played by the EU throughout
the search for peace in Northern Ireland'.
"The EU has provided strong financial and moral support to
Northern Ireland and to the border counties over the past
two decades."
The European Union has contributed almost €1.5bn (USD$2.28
bn) to Northern Ireland and the border counties to date.
This has been delivered through the successful Peace
Programs (PEACE I and II) and the International Fund for
Ireland.
The new PEACE III Program runs from 2007-2013 and, with a
contribution from both British and Irish Governments, will
distribute €333 million (USD$495 million) to projects.
During his visit to Belfast in May last year, Mr Barroso
announced the establishment of a Commission Task Force on
Northern Ireland to look at how to improve Northern
Ireland's access to and participation in Community policies
and programs.