Cope welcomes proposals at an EU level to continue the Peace programme after 2014

Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP can confirm that proposals have been tabled to the European Council to continue the Peace programme worth €150 million for the period 2014 to 2020.

The European Council consists of EU heads of state of government and they will meet in Brussels on the 7-8 February next to agree an EU budget for the period 2014 to 2020.

Pat the Cope said today: “I can confirm that proposals have been tabled to the European Council seeking funds of up to €150 million for the peace programme for the period 2014 to 2020. This is a welcome and extremely positive development for the entire border county region.”

Pat the Cope also welcomed a significant statement of support for the continuation of the Peace programme after 2014 made yesterday by the EU Regional Development Commissioner Johannes Hahn.

EU Commissioner Hahn was speaking at a high level conference in Brussels on the peace programme attended by Pat the Cope.

The Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin and the First and Deputy First Minister Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness also addressed the conference on bringing divided communities together.

Pat the Cope paid tribute to the European Commission for their continued political and financial support to the peace process in Ireland going back to the first ceasefires in 1994 and separately through the International Fund for Ireland since 1989.