Danuta Hübner: "Commissie toegewijd aan het steunen van vrede en verzoening in Noord-Ierland en Ierland" (en)
The European Commission adopted today a proposal to continue European Union support for the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) at €15 million per year for the four year period 2007 - 2010. The total €60 million proposed for the IFI is in addition to the €200 million which will be allocated through European regional policy to the programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE programme), which operates in Northern Ireland and in the Border Region of Ireland.
On the occasion of the adoption of the proposal, Commissioner Danuta Hübner said: " The Commission proposal allows for the continuation of the Union's support to the International Fund for Ireland. This is a clear manifestation of the deep and on-going commitment of the Union to the peace and reconciliation process in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The approach of the IFI - working in a fully inclusive way with all parts of the Community and on a cross-border basis has produced remarkable results in paving the way towards a better and peaceful future for the people in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Together with the PEACE Programme, it has become a successful example to inspire others in promoting reconciliation in troublesome regions all over the world. "
The proposed Regulation will now be transmitted for opinion to the European Parliament and for adoption to the Council hopefully by December 2006.
Background
The IFI was established by the UK and Irish governments in 1986 with the objective of promoting economic and social advance and of encouraging contact, dialogue and reconciliation between unionists and nationalists throughout Ireland. Contributors to the Fund are the EU, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In 2005 it was decided that the IFI will wrap up its operations in 2010. Accordingly the IFI has adopted a strategy entitled "Sharing this Space" which sets out the objectives of the Fund for the last five years of its operations (2006-2010). A key priority will be to create the capacity within the community to continue the essential work of the IFI beyond its lifetime.
Since its creation, the IFI has committed over €830 million to nearly 6,000 projects across programmes of support for the regeneration of deprived areas, community capacity building and economic development.
Since it began funding the IFI in 1989, the EU has contributed €289 million to the IFI accounting for more than one third of the total budget of the Fund. For the years ahead, the EU will assume an even greater role, making up more than 50% of the budget.
The EU has also allocated €897 million for the PEACE I (1995-1999) & II (2000-2006) bringing its total contribution to the peace and reconciliation process in Ireland to over €1.19 billion.
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