Brussels, 24/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved a cross-border co-operation programme between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The project will receive EUR 134.4 million in European regional development funding (Feder) creating total resources of EUR 179.2 million. Commissioner for Regional Policy, Michel Barnier, pointed out that this programme, together with the second programme for peace and reconciliation in Ireland would contribute to the reconstruction of the local economies and mutual understanding (in a region that has suffered from the consequences of thirty years of war). Mr Barnier explained in a communiqué that the fact that, "people work together and develop new ideas for future co-operation" was a huge success. The programme covers a population of 1.1 million people, of which 407,000 live in the South and 680,000 in the North. The programmes priorities are: integrated local and development strategies that aim to achieve economic and social cohesion and promote competitiveness through activities to improve the skills of the workforce and management and reinforcing the rural economy (Community contribution EUR 51.76 million); Supporting infrastructure (energy, transport and communications) and the environment (EUR 60.52 million); Civic and community networking to improve the quality of life and ensure citizens' participation in the programme (EUR 14.38 million).