Brussels, 06/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has adopted three programmes involving Northern Ireland as part of Cohesion policy for 2007-2013. To support Northern Ireland in this new phase of its peace and reconciliation process, a special European Commission task force (headed by DG Regio services) was set up to this end last June. This follows Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's and Commissioner for Regional Policy Danuta Hübner's commitment in this direction. 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.
Northern Ireland Regional Competitiveness and Employment programme: aims to create a knowledge-based, innovative and business-friendly region with a highly skilled workforce generating a high quality of living. It has a total budget of €614 million, with €307 million of investment from the EU.
PEACE III programme: aims to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and promote reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region. Funding is worth € 333 million, with €225 million of investment from the European Union.
Northern Ireland-Ireland-Scotland cross-border co-operation programme: will be based on previous cross-border programmes between Northern Ireland/Scotland (INTERREG Community Initiative), budget of €256 million, including €192 million of investment from the European Union.
Info: (http: //http://www.seupb.ie ). (G.B.)