Robinson and McGuinness welcome Barroso Taskforce announcement

First Minister Rt Hon Peter D. Robinson MLA and Martin McGuinness MP MLA have welcomed an announcement by European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso that his taskforce will return to Northern Ireland in 2011.
~ Thursday, 9 December 2010

President Barroso made the announcement during a meeting with the First Minister and deputy First Minister, before opening the Executive’s new offices in Brussels. It is expected that the taskforce, set up by the President in 2007, will return early next year to examine further potential funding opportunities.

The announcement came at the end of a day which included meetings with a number of Europe's most senior officials.

Mr Robinson said: "President Barroso’s announcement this morning is hugely significant for Northern Ireland. The taskforce was a unique initiative originally setup in 2007 to ensure that Northern Ireland took full advantage of the opportunities that membership of the EU offers.

“Since then, the taskforce has enabled us to secure funding valued at €23.2million under the Framework 7 Programme, significantly surpassing our previous achievements. Over 2,000 projects, with a total value of €13million, have been approved under the Rural Development Programme and over 42,000 people have participated in skills programmes through the social fund so far. Even from these few examples, it is clear that the work of the taskforce is making a significant difference."

Mr McGuinness said: “Healing division, tackling the causes of conflict and embedding peace does not happen overnight. The President and the European Union have been with us in every step we have taken along this process. The continuation of the taskforce during these financially difficult times across Europe, underscores the President’s commitment to building peace. The taskforce is a unique approach to promoting our interests and involvement in Europe.

“We need to build on our achievements to date. Given our objectives of growing the economy, tackling disadvantage and delivering efficient public services the taskforce is an opportunity for all our public, private and social sector to up our game with Europe and fully realise the potential of European Engagement."

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