WIREDGOV

The European Commission approved a new 31 million EUR financial assistance programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. This renewed funding is the continuation of a successful EU funded programme which focuses on promoting the economic integration of the island and improving contacts between the two communities and the EU with the overall objective of facilitating reunification.

This year's funding will focus on ensuring the sustainability of previous interventions with an emphasis on preparing for EU standards, especially in the areas of wastewater and animal and plant health.

"This renewed funding underlines the commitment and strong support of the European Union to make a difference in the lives of Turkish Cypriots, to help bring the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the EU and to pave the way for reconciliation and the reunification of Cyprus", said Commissioner Štefan Füle.

The programme will also continue to focus on reconciliation and confidence building actions through support to the Committee of Missing Persons and the bi-communal committee on Cultural Heritage as well as a continued engagement with civil society. The widely appreciated scholarship programme, allowing Turkish Cypriots to study in the EU, will continue.

To date the European Union has allocated more than 380 million EUR under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community in support of the implementation of Council Regulation 380/2006.

For more information:

http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/turkish_cypriot_community/index_en.htm