The continuity of the EU peace & reconciliation programme in NI is crucial in the context of Brexit

15 Mar 2019 11:38 AM

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted in its February plenary session an opinion supporting the continuation of the European Peace and Reconciliation Programme (PEACE) in Northern Ireland after the UK's withdrawal from the EU. This continued support is considered as "crucial" given the sensitivity of the debate on the UK/Ireland border in the context of the Brexit negotiations.  

The PEACE Programme was set up in 1995 as a direct result of the EU's desire to make a positive response to the paramilitary ceasefires of 1994. The programming period for 2014-2020, representing €229 million, provides for continued EU assistance to address the peace and reconciliation needs of the region through cross-community initiatives, particularly in the fields of shared education, children and young people, shared spaces and cross-border cooperation.

The opinion adopted by the EESC and drafted by Jane Morrice states that the urgency of the situation created by the Brexit process and the eventual UK withdrawal requires an EU response to safeguard the peace process which matches the new needs of the region in the post-Brexit context. It recommends not only maintaining the PEACE programme, as proposed, but also extending its life-span, as conflict resolution will take time and requires longer-term commitment than current funding cycles. 

Successes of the PEACE programme are numerous and, according to a European Parliament resolution adopted in 2018, it should be promoted as the EU model to achieve lasting peace in other parts of Europe and worldwide. Its continuation is therefore considered "vital" by the EESC to help ensure the region does not slip back into conflict and tensions are not worsened in the post-Brexit context. Welcoming the tremendous EU support for the NI Peace process, Jane Morrice, rapporteur of the EESC opinion, pointed out that the EU could include a commitment to increase the funding in the next round of the programme and to establish a European Peace and Reconciliation Centre in Northern Ireland, as proposed in previous reports issued by the EESC, the European Parliament and the European Commission.

Click here for the full press release