15/12/2006
EU delivers further aid to the Turkish Cypriot community

The European Commission has adopted this week a financing decision for a total of €197.55 million 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 €197.55 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 €259 million adopted by the EU Member States in February 2006.