In a unique Parliamentary occasion at the Brussels' session, MEPs heard both the Minister for Foreign Affairs David Andrews and Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam commend the recent Peace Agreement for Northern Ireland. Both speakers underlined the considerable support for the process from the EU.
MEPs then adopted a resolution welcoming the agreement "as offering a truly historic opportunity for a new beginning". The resolution draws attention to the fact that the signatories are committed to partnership, consent, equality and mutual respect. It calls on Council and the Commission to consider as a matter of urgency how further practical help could be given to supporting the agreement. The commitment to democratic and peaceful means to resolving differences is also strongly welcomed.
Jim Nicholson (NI, I-EN) voted against the resolution after several amendments were rejected, including one taking up the question of the decommissioning of arms. However, the agreement contains a commitment to the total disarmament of all paramilitary organisations, and MEPs accepted that particular points in the agreement could not be isolated.
An early sign of practical help came with the announcement by the European Investment Bank of a new scheme to help small businesses. They will be offered a 3 per cent interest rebate subsidy, which is expected to generate £200 million of new investment. It is targeted towards businesses with fewer than 50 employees, operating in deprived urban and rural areas, and will be extended to the six border counties in Ireland.
The previous scheme of a 4 per cent interest-rate subsidy backed some 400 projects costing some £400 million, which helped to create 8,000 jobs in Northern Ireland.