EU delivers further EUR197,55 mln aid to Turkish Cypriots

The European Commission has adopted a financing decision for a total of EUR197.55 mln to encourage the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community.

 The financial assistance will focus on five objectives:

    1) developing and restructuring of infrastructure;

    2) promoting economic and social development;

    3) fostering reconciliation, confidence building measures, and support to civil society;

    4) bringing the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the European Union; and

    5) preparing the Turkish Cypriot community to introduce and implement the EU’s legal order.

 From the EUR197.55 million 18 projects will be supported covering support for water/wastewater infrastructure, nature protection, telecommunications, energy, rural development, human resources development, support for medium-sized enterprises, urban infrastructure, reconciliation projects including continuation of the de-mining effort, community scholarships, people-to-people contacts and support to the process of harmonisation with the acquis communautaire.

This financial decision is implementing the Aid Regulation of EUR259 mln adopted by the EU Member States in February 2006.