Forum launched to maximise EU opportunities

30 May 2012

A new forum has been launched for Northern Ireland stakeholders to engage with the EU and get the most out of Europe.

The Northern Ireland European Regional Forum (NIERF) will be facilitated by Belfast City Council and include partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors across NI with an interest in European affairs. Forum members will provide a platform to meet and discuss EU policy, maximise funding opportunities and shape policy for the benefit of Belfast and NI.

NIERF will work closely with the Barroso Task Force, the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister, the Assembly Advisory Panel on Europe, the European Commission office in Belfast and the Northern Ireland Executive Office in Brussels to enrich its work.

Among the forum members are representatives from Belfast City Council, the PSNI, British Council, Belfast Health Trust, DEL and the DSD.

The forum was launched at Queen`s University yesterday evening ahead of a special EU conference today in Titanic Belfast, organised by DEL and Proteus NI focusing on European social funding.

Alderman Christopher Stalford, Chairman of Belfast City Council`s Development Committee, said: “I`m delighted to officially launch the Northern Ireland European Regional Forum, a comprehensive, systematic platform of EU engagement in NI which will aid the Barroso Task Force and Ministers driving the EU agenda.

“Engagement in European projects and partnerships is nothing new to the council and we are proud to lead the way in showcasing our region in Europe. We look forward to the many emerging opportunities that the 2014-2020 EU programmes can offer Northern Ireland.”

For further information on Belfast City Council`s work on Europe, you can visit the council website at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/europe

ENDS

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