EC outlines details of aid package to Turkish Cypriots

The European Commission has provided details regarding its EUR 259 mln aid package for Turkish Cypriots on the first anniversary of the approval of the funds. Out of the EUR 259 million, EUR 240,15 has been allocated to the operational part of the aid programme whereas the remainder EUR 18,85 (i.e. 7.2% of the overall financial allocation) will be used to support the implementation of the aid programme by the Commission in line with the provisions of Article 4(3) of the aid regulation.

Objective 1: Developing and restructuring of infrastructure (approx. EUR 129,25

million): Under this priority objective, the programme aims to redress the serious gaps in

infrastructure provisions existing in the northern part of Cyprus in key sectors such as environment (and in particular water and sanitation, solid waste and nature protection), energy (with particular attention to supply and demand management issues), traffic safety and telecommunication. Following years of underinvestment and neglect, key infrastructure sectors are in need of rehabilitation and upgrading to meet the demands of  the acquis communautaire.

Objective 2: Promoting social and economic development (approx. EUR 70.2 million): This priority covers a broad range of activities aiming to enhance long term economic sustainability of the Turkish Cypriot community

Objective 3: Fostering reconciliation, confidence building measures, and support to civil society (approx. EUR 13 million):

Objective 4: Bringing the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the European Union (approx. EUR 9.5 million):

Objective 5: Preparing the Turkish Cypriot community to introduce and implement the acquis communautaire (approx. EUR 13.46 million):