The president of the European Parliament, Mr Pat Cox, is to visit the North to discuss the relationship between the Northern institutions and the EU. Mr Cox yesterday accepted an invitation to visit Belfast from the First Minister, Mr David Trimble and his deputy, Mr Mark Durkan.
Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan were in Brussels for the opening of a new Northern Ireland office near the European Parliament's headquarters.
The office was opened by the European Commissioner in charge of regional policy, Mr Michel Barnier, who referred to the positive impact of the EU programme for peace and prosperity in the North.
"With the opening of the new office, the voice of Northern Ireland will be heard more clearly in Europe. More importantly, the region will be able to engage more effectively in a dialogue with the rest of Europe. This will be a two-way process because Northern Ireland has a particular experience that others will be keen to learn from," he said.
Mr Trimble praised the EU's role in encouraging the peace process and said that the North would be keeping a keen eye on the convention on Europe's future that will start on February 28th.
Mr Cox said he looked forward to engaging in "normal politics" with Northern representatives.
