The European Commission announced on Monday that the General Affairs Council had adopted the regulation establishing financial support for the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community which has been under negotiation since July 2004.
The decision releases resources amounting to EUR139 million for the Turkish Cypriot community, which will be used to improve the economy of the northern part of the island.
“This financial support regulation will bring a clear, tangible benefit for the population in their daily lives. We have thereby also honoured our commitment as the EU to the Turkish Cypriot community," Austrian Foreign Minister, Ursula Plassnik declared.
“This could also be a positive contribution to getting the ongoing UN-sponsored process moving again. It is in all of our interest to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus conflict that is acceptable to both sides," she added.
Greek-Cypriot government spokesman, Yiorgos Lillikas, meanwhile, announced on Monday that:
“The Government welcomes today’s adoption of the Regulation for the economic support of the Turkish Cypriots by the EU Council of Ministers."
"This decision formalises the decoupling of the Regulation for the economic support of the Turkish Cypriots from the issue of direct trade, which is referred to discussion in line with the other issues that constituted the basis of the Luxembourg Presidency."
However, it is just this disconnection, coupled with a reduction in aid from the previous offer of EUR259 million in aid in the EU's 2004 package, that has infuriated the Turkish authorities, and made it increasingly unlikely that Turkey will permit Cypriot access to its ports and airports as the EU requires.
The Financial Times quoted Turkish Foreign Minister, Abdullah Gul as announcing following the unveiling of the aid package that:
"The genuine step Turkey expects is direct trade together with financial aid. This unilateral decision by the EU will bring new problems and difficulties."
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