Northern Ministers In Brussels To Take Their Place In Europe

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Junior Ministers Gerry Kelly and Ian Paisley Junior spent Tuesday in Brussels continuing the process of engagement with key players in European policy.

During their visit, the Ministers learned that the ;Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme for 2007-13; was approved by the Committee in Brussels.

The deputy First Minister said: "This programme will inject over £500 Million into the rural economy and I would like to welcome Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew's efforts in securing approval of the programme, which is among the first in Europe to be approved."

The Ministers met and were briefed by senior officials in the UK and Irish Representations, the Scottish and Welsh Offices and the Director General of Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Mr Nikolaus Van der Paas of the European Commission.

At a working lunch hosted by the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels the Ministers also met a range of guests from diplomats to staff in the main European institutions as well as key players in business, tourism and agriculture.

Ministers also took the opportunity to speak to the Northern Irish civil servants who work in Brussels.

Speaking at the event Mr Paisley Junior praised the efforts of Brussels-based staff in keeping Northern issues to the fore in European policy development.

"It is imperative that we continue to work with others to influence change and maximize opportunities," he said.

"A key element of this will be work on the Northern Ireland Task Force announced on May 1st by President Manuel Barroso when he visited Northern Ireland."

Mr Kelly also emphasised the importance of engagement.

He said: "I fully appreciate the need for us to identify our needs and priorities and work with others to achieve our objectives in European policy development."