Role of the EU in the peace process

The report analyses the achievements of the peace process and the role that the EU has played in it. It also acknowledges that the peace process is still 'a work in progress' and on that basis makes a series of recommendations intended to guide future EU involvement in Northern Ireland.

The role of the EU during the peace process was described in the report as 'unprecedented' yet relatively 'unsung'. It was "a unique long term commitment of substantial resources, strategically planned and executed, based on principles of social partnership and subsidiarity and guided every step of the way by inclusive local consultation". Lessons from the EU's role in supporting the peace process can be used to contribute to efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in other parts of the world, and while it may not have all the answers, it is argued the EU has the resources, expertise and experience to facilitate peace processes.

The recommendations made by the report were divided into two categories; the first category covers Northern Ireland and the border counties on which EU support should be focussed in order to further the reconciliation process; the second covers the wider context of EU support for peace-building and reconciliation in other areas of conflict, using the lessons learned from Northern Ireland which are outlined in the conflict resolution tool kit included in the report.

Of particular interest were the Commission's recommendations that the EU should retain its long-term support for peace building in Northern Ireland through:

• greater focus on cross-community reconciliation, marginalised groups, victims of the conflict and 'shared society'
• the inclusion of community and voluntary organisations, trade unions and businesses at all levels of the decision-making process regarding EU peace funds
• the restoration of local partnership structures
• a reduction in bureaucracy.

It was also suggested that the European Commission Task Force should continue to focus on guiding, facilitating and supporting ways for the region to develop beyond Peace funding, such as research, knowledge transfer, education and the facilitation of international networking on conflict resolution.

In terms of the wider global context, it was recommended that key lessons from the EU's experience in Northern Ireland should be shared among other EU institutions, Member State authorities and in the international arena. This should include:

• a comprehensive data-base of best practice in conflict resolution
• a compendium of Peace programme evaluations and successful projects
• further research into the EU role in a range of areas (internal, cross-border, and external conflict situations).

The report also recommended the establishment of a European Institutions Facility for Conflict Resolution in Northern Ireland drawing on existing work in the area of conflict resolution both locally and internationally.