Barroso to offer continued EU support for peace process

The president of the European Commission is due to meet Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness in Belfast today for talks ahead of the restoration of power-sharing next week.

Jose Manuel Barroso is also due to meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern and Northern Secretary Peter Hain during a visit designed to underline EU support for the devolution project.

Mr Barroso is expected to promise continued EU resources to bolster the peace process.