BCC commits itself to fostering EU partnerships

Belfast City Council has re-iterated its commitment to fostering and maintaining international alliances in the EU during a pan-European network conference on Friday.

The opening of the 12th meeting of Interact, a pan-European network of cities working in the field promoting best practice in strategic urban governance, brought together leading senior politicians and civil servants from across the EU including two from the new member states, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Stressing the councils willingness to share its experiences of the benefits of European Union membership with those regions acceding to the EU later this year, Councillor Ian Crozier, Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Development Committee, said that networks such as Interact were key to achieving the Council’s goal of establishing Belfast as a modern and dynamic European capital.

“European assistance and co-operation has been invaluable in getting us to where we are today – and, in return, we are committed to engaging actively with our European partners.

"The rejuvenation of Belfast is an example to other European cities of what can be achieved through the commitment and hard work of many, working together for the benefit of all," he said.

The Chairman also pointed out that Belfast City Council was demonstrating its commitment to engaging with the rest of Europe through a series of major initiatives, including the establishment of a dedicated European unit and active participation in networks such as Interact, Eurocities and Quartieres en Crise. The success of the Belfast Gasworks Employment Matching Service (GEMS) and the work of Belfast’s five area partnership boards in driving regeneration at both local and citywide levels was just a number of initiatives being highlighted over the course of the two days, Councillor Crozier concluded.

(MB)