Press Release: Cohesion policy: Commission delivers on commitment to strong support for development in Northern Ireland

The European Commission has adopted three programmes involving Northern Ireland as part of Cohesion policy for 2007-2013. This follows Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Commissioner for regional policy Danuta Hübner's commitment that the European Union would continue to strongly support Northern Ireland in this new phase of its peace and reconciliation process. A special European Commission task force has been set up to this end. EU investment worth €724 million will be made available through the three programmes: the PEACE III programme; the cross-border co-operation programme with Ireland and Scotland; and the Regional Competitiveness and Employment programme for the province.

Ireland: Department of Foreign Affairs: Press Release, 10.1.08: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, welcomes the visit of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to Brussels, and praises EU support for the Northern Ireland peace process http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie/home/index.aspx?id=39319

---