Sinn Féin MLA Sinead Ferguson from Foyle called for the UK government to join additional EU programmes under the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. She spoke at the seventh meeting of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly in Brussels' Espace Léopold.

Ferguson stressed the need to ringfence PEACEPLUS funding to support community transformation in Northern Ireland, especially border counties. The programme, backed by the EU, Irish and British governments and the Northern Ireland Executive, allocated 1.14 billion euros for projects including those in Derry from 2021 to 2027.

No decision has been made on extending PEACEPLUS into the 2028-2034 period. The funding has aided Derry initiatives despite the UK's exit from the EU.

During the Brussels visit, Ferguson noted agreement on the Erasmus+ programme for the 2027/28 academic year. She said students and youth from Northern Ireland, including Foyle and Derry, can fully join the EU education, training, youth and sport initiative.

Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion for Ireland South requested observer status for MEPs from Northern Ireland. She addressed British Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds and EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič at the assembly.

Funchion stated that people in Northern Ireland face a democratic deficit from EU rules and deserve representation through observer MEPs. She said Irish and British governments should consider the Sinn Féin proposal.

Marsha de Cordova MP, UK delegation leader and assembly co-chair, described the meeting as productive. She said it identified consensus areas with European parliamentarians to enhance security, prosperity and peace.