DUP MEP Jim Allister has today welcomed an undertaking from the Prime Minister that during the UK’s Presidency of the European Union next year that a major EU event will be held in Northern Ireland.

Mr Allister had written to the Prime Minister urging that one of the many European Council Meetings should be held in Northern Ireland to provide a means for the promotion of Northern Ireland and to mark its contribution as an important part of the United Kingdom. Mr Allister said, “I am delighted to have received a letter indicating that the Prime Minister has accepted that a major event will be held in July 2005 when the Employment and Social Policy Ministerial Meeting will take place in Ulster. The Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions will be the host as the relevant Chairman of the European Council for that subject”.

Commenting further Mr Allister said, “Whatever our views about Europe and mine of course are well known as being euro-sceptic, I think it is important that so long as we continue within the European Union we take every opportunity to promote Northern Ireland as a key region and therefore I see this event in July 2005 as an opportunity to do that”.