Success story

A major conference on investing in Northern Ireland was held last month – testament to the key role the EU played in bringing peace, says José Manuel Barroso

Last year I 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 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. 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. For me personally, this has been a moving experience. I am very proud of the role that the EU is playing in helping to consolidate the Northern Ireland peace process. It has brought home to me what the EU really means to its regions, and 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.