Policy Focus

Hübner hails 'new phase' in EU-Northern Ireland relations

Regional policy chief Danuta Hübner has said thatNorthern Ireland's focus is shifting from peace to growth andjobs.

Speaking to the theParliament.com two weeks after her visit toBelfast, where she launched the report of the commission’s taskforce on Northern Ireland, she said:

“There is a definite sense that we are entering a new phase. Peaceas such is no longer the objective, but the consolidation of thepeace through generating prosperity and jobs.”

After years of conflict, the Northern Irish economy has sufferedthe scars of lack of investment in infrastructure and dependence onpublic sector jobs.

The Northern Ireland task force (NITF) is a Barroso initiative setin motion last year to analyse and advise on how Northern Irelandcan make better use of the aid it receives from the EU.

The report of the NITF recommends the region refocus itspriorities, especially in research, education and encouraging smallbusinesses.

The EU has promised €1.1bn to Northern Ireland until 2013 under theregional development fund, and Hübner thinks the region can dowell, depending on how cleverly it uses the aid.

“Depending on the degree of participation of NI players in thedifferent EU programmes…the region can expect to draw down furtherfinancial help from Europe while having new opportunities toparticipate in the different European networks and consortia withother regions and partners.

“Times have changed,” continued the Polish commissioner, “AndNorthern Ireland is engaged in what most people feel is anirreversible process. Expectations are high in the population andamong business leaders.

“The commission in Brussels, and I feel sure, the Europeanparliament, will remain committed to supporting NorthernIreland.”

Commenting on the upcoming shifts in the country’s politics – firstminister Ian Paisley is due to step down in June, and Irish premierBertie Ahern will leave in May – she said she was optimistic theirpolitical successors would continue to push for progress.

“During my recent visit to Belfast, on 14 April, I had the pleasureto meet [first minister-elect] Peter Robinson and [primeminister-elect] Brian Cowen, and to have a first exchange of viewswith them.

“Both are clearly very committed to maintaining the momentum of thepeace process and to cooperating closely together to thisend.

“I am therefore optimistic that the dynamic between Belfast andDublin, and between Belfast and Brussels, especially on the keyeconomic issues, will be maintained, and indeed reinforced.

“Moreover, it is a new dynamic since Northern Ireland's leaders aredetermined to give something back to Europe as well as totake.”