Office of The Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels - Responsibilities

Responsibilities

"The Office has six main functions:

• Monitoring EU policy developments relevant to Northern Ireland
• Ensuring that Northern Ireland's interests are taken into account in the work of the EU Institutions
• Facilitating contacts and links between EU Institutions and NI Ministers and officials
• Raising the positive profile of Northern Ireland among European policy makers and opinion formers
• Pursuing co-operation of practical benefit to Northern Ireland with other European regions
• Facilitating improved contacts with the EU by Northern Ireland non-governmental and local government sectors

The staff are committed to ensuring that the Office's facilities are made available to a broad range of interests including the non-government, local government, academic and private sectors. Many Northern Ireland-based organisations have used the facilities to hold meetings and events. The activities of the Office also assist in promoting knowledge and understanding of the European Union in Northern Ireland and staff have developed a strong relationship with the European Commission representation in Belfast.

As part of the development of inter-regional co-operation with the other European regions, the Northern Ireland administration has joined the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR). This organisation brings together representatives of most regions outside central Europe to discuss issues of mutual interest."