Leading by example

José Manuel Barroso on how the Northern Irish peace process is an example to the world

Last May I had the pleasure to visit Belfast as the first foreign visitor to meet the then incoming first minister of Northern Ireland, Ian Paisley, and the deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness. These appointments were confirmed just days later when the devolved institutions were re-established, a truly historic event that confirmed the strong and sincere commitment of the political parties to create a new beginning for a region which, up until comparatively recently, had been known to the rest of the Europe for many of the wrong reasons.

Following my Belfast visit, I immediately asked commissioner Danuta Hübner, on the basis of the commission’s experience in regional policy, to put in place a group of experienced officials from different commission departments to act as a special task force on ways in which Europe can help to underpin change in Northern Ireland. The emphasis has been on helping the region to generate more growth and jobs, and in that way to create more economic opportunities for its people in order to underpin the peace process.
At the beginning of April this year, the commission endorsed the report of the Northern Ireland task force (NITF). The preparation of the report has benefited from the strong support, ideas and encouragement of Northern Ireland’s MEPs. The point of departure of the report is a diagnosis of the challenges facing the region as it seeks to reap the peace dividend. While many of the headline economic indicators, for example, in relation to unemployment rates or GDP per head, compare very favourably today with the averages for the EU, the region bears the imprint of a period of conflict: a high dependence on the public sector, an inclination against risk-taking, a low level of entrepreneurship with low investment in research and innovation, a persistent negative image of the region to international investors – although this is clearly now changing – and a high proportion of the population seemingly detached from the world of work.

In addressing these challenges, Northern Ireland has an investment budget from the EU of €1.1bn, which is secure until 2013. In addition, the region has the opportunity to compete for more resources under the other programmes and initiatives of the EU. The report draws attention to a long list of leads to follow up under, for example, the seventh research framework programme, the education programmes such as Erasmus for student exchanges, enterprise programmes, for example, to encourage the growth of the risk capital sector, the many transport and energy initiatives, the Life+ programme in the environmental field, and not forgetting the possibilities to use European support to develop more traditional sectors such as agriculture and fisheries, which remain important for the region. In the ‘information age’, networking with the Irish Republic, with other UK regions and with the rest of Europe will be an essential ingredient for success.

I have also been impressed by the desire of the region’s political leaders to give something back to Europe, for example, by developing a facility for conflict resolution which would provide a source of advice for other parts of Europe, and the rest of the world, enduring community divisions. As requested by the Northern Ireland authorities, we will examine together the ways forward for this interesting idea.
The work of the task force is by no means over. On the basis of the report, the Northern Ireland authorities have indicated that they will draw up an action plan and, for my part, I have given my commitment that the task force will remain active to accompany, to advise on and to facilitate its implementation.

Finally, I also have to say that for me personally, as president of the commission, this has been a moving experience, for two reasons. First, it provided a point of comparison with my previous experiences of seeing peace come to areas previously in conflict such as Angola, Mozambique and East Timor. I am very proud of the role that the EU is playing in helping to consolidate the Northern Ireland peace process. Secondly, it brought home to me what the EU really means to its regions. In particular, through this experience, I am convinced that the commission needs to do more to bring Europe to the regions. We can and should reduce the barriers that exist, either real or perceived, that may sometimes prevent regions from participating in the many initiatives that can help to generate new opportunities and to reinforce competitiveness in the age of globalisation.
Against the expectations of only a few years ago, Northern Ireland has now emerged as an example to the world on how to succeed in promoting peace and reconciliation in a deeply divided community. Its political leaders have recognised the importance of economic success in this process, and of the role of the EU in the drive for growth and jobs. Just like the emerging European Community of 50 years ago, the story of Northern Ireland shows that people from different communities, sometimes with fundamentally different opinions, can overcome their divisions, work together and share a common future. I wish the first minister, the deputy first minister and the people of Northern Ireland every success in the period that lies ahead.