T/Cypriot aid to be spent on energy, enviro, acquis

The EUR 139 mln in financial aid for Turkish Cypriots which was approved by the EU foreign ministers on Friday and adopted by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on Monday will focus on energy and the environment and will help prepare Turkish Cypriots to apply EU law for the day when a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem is achieved.

In an official statement, Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said “Adopting this Regulation enables the EU to bring assistance where it is urgently needed in fields such as energy and environment. Many concrete projects can now be realised which bring the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the European Union.”

He also said that the Aid Regulation will “allow the Commission to prepare the Turkish Cypriot community for the future application of EU Law following a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.”

Rehn said that the adoption of the aid package should be seen as a first step by the EU towards putting an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and facilitating the reunification of Cyprus as laid down in the conclusions of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 26 April 2004.

“The Commission encourages the Council to move towards adoption of the proposal made in 2004 on trade between the EU and the Turkish Cypriot community.

In line with its long-standing position, the Commission remains fully committed to supporting a resumption of UN-led talks for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue as soon as possible,” said Rehn.