Allister publishes East-West policy document
10 February 2006
DUP Member of the European Parliament, Jim Allister QC announced today that he has published a new policy document entitled “Working Together for a Common Good” which addresses potential areas of co-operation between Scotland and Northern Ireland in the revised structures of the INTERREG programme. The Scottish Parliament’s European and External Relations Committee is currently undertaking a study, chaired by Denis Canavan MSP in this area and the policy paper has been submitted to the committee for their consideration in helping to shape future joint programmes between the two countries.
Jim Allister said, “Scotland and Northern Ireland have well-documented and irrefutable historical links – a greater sense of awareness of this reality is reflected in the massive increase of Ulster-Scots cultural and musical groups that we have witnessed over the last decade within the Province. The problems afflicting both countries are common, namely poor transportation infrastructure, the decline of heavy industry and textiles and an underdeveloped tourism potential. Bearing this reality in mind, the most obvious and natural area of co-operation is co-operation undertaken on an east-west basis, rather than the unnatural and politically-motivated north-southery that we witnessed under previous stages of the INTERREG programme.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to have an input into the shaping of future INTERREG co-operation between Scotland and Ulster and I hope that the parliamentary committee exploring this area, chaired by Mr. Canavan will take on board some of my recommendations. The scope for mutually beneficial co-operation between our two countries is enormous and this opportunity through the revised INTERREG programme must not be lost.”
