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European Policy and Co-ordination

European Policy and Co-ordination Unit (EPCU)

EPCU provides a central policy and co-ordination role in relation to the European Union (EU).  It helps Northern Ireland fulfil its EU responsibilities and develop a positive approach to participation in the European Union.  This involves:
  • Leading on the development of the Executive Committee’s strategic approach to Europe.
  • Maintaining effective liaison arrangements with Whitehall, the Scottish and Welsh devolved administrations, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of the Taoiseach and across NICS departments on European matters.
  • Monitoring the transposition of European directives.
The Unit was also responsible for promoting European networking by administering Measure 4.1 ‘Networking in Europe and Beyond’ - of the Peace II Programme. Read more about European networking.

European Priorities for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Executive agreed its European Priorities 2012-2013 on 17 May 2012. OFMDFM Junior Ministers Jonathan Bell and Martina Anderson presented the Priorities and the 2011-12 European Priorities Implementation Report, to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 28 May 2012. An Implementation Plan for the 2012-13 Priorities has also been published.  Each document can be accessed using the links below.