Robinson and McGuinness complete Brussels visit

First Minister Peter D. Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA have completed a highly successful two day visit to Brussels.
~ Friday, 10 December 2010

Speaking as they prepared to leave the city the Ministers outlined the importance of their visit.

Mr Robinson said: "It is abundantly clear even from our brief visit that the Taskforce has enabled Northern Ireland, a comparatively small region in European terms, to gain priority access to some of Europe’s most senior officials allowing us to develop lasting and fruitful relationships. Our new offices will ensure that Northern Ireland remains at the very heart of Europe taking full advantage of the goodwill that we have generated and the relationships we have developed.

“Our visit to Brussels has been hugely successful, not only have we secured a commitment from President Barroso that his taskforce will return in 2011, but we have also met with Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament and explored the potential for Peace IV funding with EU Regional Development Commissioner Johannes Hahn and Danuta Hubner, Chair of the European Parliament Regional Development Committee and a former Chair of the Barroso Taskforce.”

Mr McGuinness said: "This has been an extremely beneficial visit as we now look forward to working with the revitalised Taskforce. We used the opportunity to lobby for an extension of support for both the International Fund for Ireland and the Peace programme beyond 2014. We also offered to share our experience of conflict resolution and peace building with the rest of Europe. President Barroso was extremely interested in the work to develop a conflict resolution and peace building centre.

"Innovation research and development will be central to our economic recovery. We are currently on target to achieve a draw down of £50million from the 7th Framework Programme. We discussed how this target may be exceeded with Research and Innovation Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. The Commissioner also committed to organising a major conference in the summer of 2011 which will focus on peripheral regions and SME’s. The conference will assist local businesses in accessing EU research and development funding.”

After meeting Ronnie Hall, Chair of the Barroso Taskforce, the Ministers stressed the vital role it has in realising the benefits which Europe has to offer.

Mr Robinson said: “The financial and strategic support we have received from the European Union over many years has assisted us in our objective of growing a dynamic innovative economy. We still, however, face significant economic challenges and while it is pleasing that the resources of the Taskforce continue to be available to us, we must make optimum use of them.”

Mr McGuinness said: “The work of the Taskforce is now more important than ever and it is vital that we recommit our energies towards it. We must build significantly on our engagement with Europe in order to fully realise the potential for sustainable economic growth.”

During the course of their visit the Ministers also met the UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU Andy Lebrecht and Ireland’s Permanent EU Representative Rory Montgomery, as well as local MEP’s Jim Nicholson and Diane Dodds.

Notes to editors:

1. Media enquiries to OFMDFM Press Office on 028 9037 8142. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
2. You can view a video of the First Minister and the deputy First Minister meeting President of European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, on the European Parliment website at the following link:
   Video of meeting - European Parliment website