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EC president confirms NI funding EC president confirms NI funding
(20 minutes later)
A new taskforce to examine how Northern Ireland can maximise its share of European funding is to be established, EC President Manuel Barroso has said.A new taskforce to examine how Northern Ireland can maximise its share of European funding is to be established, EC President Manuel Barroso has said.
Mr Barroso made the announcement after meeting Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers.Mr Barroso made the announcement after meeting Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers.
He said a new study would be held into NI's economy to examine how entrepreneurship could be encouraged.He said a new study would be held into NI's economy to examine how entrepreneurship could be encouraged.
He also confirmed that about £600m of European funds would be devoted to NI and the Republic's border counties.He also confirmed that about £600m of European funds would be devoted to NI and the Republic's border counties.
The money will be given over the next six years.The money will be given over the next six years.
Mr Barroso said: "We will set up a taskforce in the commission to help finalise the programming of European Union funds so Northern Ireland can benefit from the experience across the EU in creating growth, jobs, innovation and opportunity."Mr Barroso said: "We will set up a taskforce in the commission to help finalise the programming of European Union funds so Northern Ireland can benefit from the experience across the EU in creating growth, jobs, innovation and opportunity."
The meeting with the European Commission president was Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness's first joint public engagement.The meeting with the European Commission president was Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness's first joint public engagement.
Earlier, Mr Barroso also met Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern. During the press conference, Mr Paisley told Mr Barroso that they were highly privileged to have him visit the incoming administration in person.
Financial help
"We need the help of the European Union. There are two areas where we need help. We need financial help but also the aid of the experts," he said.
"You have the finances and the experts. We have called in the right doctor not just to diagnose our sickness but to prescribe the right tablets."
Mr McGuinness described the European Commission leader's visit as a "massive stamp" of approval.
"We are delighted that President Barroso is with us and he has made a little bit of history in that he is the first president of the European Commission to actually come into this building," the Sinn Fein MP said.
"He does so at a time of great hope for all of our people and I think it is a hope shared by many in Europe and in far distant fields."
Earlier, Mr Barroso met Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern.
Political development
Mr Barroso visited Northern Ireland on his way back from an EU-US summit in the United States.Mr Barroso visited Northern Ireland on his way back from an EU-US summit in the United States.
This visit is being seen as the European Union's way of signalling its backing for the new executive.This visit is being seen as the European Union's way of signalling its backing for the new executive.
Political development
Speaking after he met with Mr Hain and Mr Ahern, Mr Barroso said the EU would continue to be supportive of political development in Northern Ireland.Speaking after he met with Mr Hain and Mr Ahern, Mr Barroso said the EU would continue to be supportive of political development in Northern Ireland.
"I think there is a lot of symbolism in this because the message I want to bring to the citizens of Northern Ireland is that precisely we are following with great admiration, great respect very important political transformations here."I think there is a lot of symbolism in this because the message I want to bring to the citizens of Northern Ireland is that precisely we are following with great admiration, great respect very important political transformations here.
"This message I bring on behalf of the European Commission and I can say on behalf of the European Union," he said."This message I bring on behalf of the European Commission and I can say on behalf of the European Union," he said.
On Monday night, Mr Paisley said he would not shake hands with Mr McGuinness when they were sworn into their jobs.
The pair will take up their new roles on 8 May when the new power-sharing executive is formed.
Speaking about the handshake, Mr Paisley told BBC NI's Spotlight programme: "It's not handshaking we want, it's decision-making we want.
"It's not acting like two actors to impress people, the people are looking for results.
"We could shake hands 24 hours a day, but if we don't get this province of ours into a ship-shape economic condition what good's the handshaking?"