Brussels, 14/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Commission spokesperson indicated in a press release that on Wednesday the European Commission adopted a proposal to extend EU support for the peace process in Northern Ireland and the border region of Ireland for a further two years to the end of 2006. The extension will provide an additional EUR 150 million from the EU to be delivered through the PEACE Programme and the International Fund for Ireland (IFI). The proposal means that 60 million euros per year in new resources would be made available for the PEACE programme and 15 million euros per year for the IFI. The proposal will be sent to the European Parliament and the Council for approval with a view to a final decision by the end of the year.
Jacques Barrot, Commissioner responsible for regional policy, said: “The Commission believes that Europe should continue to support the efforts of the Irish and British governments in consolidating the progress which has been made towards a permanent peace in the region".
A spokesperson pointed out that the EU programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland was established in 1995. The current programme covers the period 2000-2004. It aims to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation in the region. The programme's total expenditure for the period 2000-2004 from all sources is estimated at 708 million euros. The European Structural Funds contribute 531 million euros. This was the sum decided at the European Council in Berlin in March 1999 in the context of the global settlement - the 'financial perspective' - for the period 2000-06. In Wednesday's decision, the Commission proposes an amendment to the financial perspective in order to use the margins available to finance an extension of the PEACE programme. Under the normal co-financing arrangements, the EU contribution would be topped up by those from national sources in the UK and Ireland.