The European Union’s investment worth €724 million (about $1.03 billion) will be made available through the three programs – the PEACE III program, the cross-border cooperation program with Ireland and Scotland, and the Regional Competitiveness and Employment program for the province, a news release from the EU said.

„Through these three programs, the European Union is providing Northern Ireland with real opportunities to develop its economic potential and competitiveness, to improve the situation of its border regions, and to make further progress towards a peaceful and stable society,” said EU Commissioner for regional policy Danuta Huebner when announcing the decisions.

She said that the EU created in June a special task force to involve a coordinated approach by commission services to give support to Northern Ireland to enable it to make full use of all European programs. (people.com)