Denktash Rejects EU Aid Package For Northern Cyprus

by Lorys Charalambous, Tax-News.com, Cyprus

06 June 2003

A European Union aid package worth EUR12 million destined for the northern half of Cyprus has been rejected by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash who said the money was an attempt to force Greek rule on the Turkish community.

The funding package announced by the European Commission this week was designed to encourage economic redevelopment and promote schemes that would bring the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the EU as a whole. Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, who played a large part in the initiative considered the Commission's decision "a window of opportunity for a united Cyprus joining the European Union by 1 May 2004."

However, talking to reporters in Nicosia, Denktash countered: "This is not aid, this is not support. This is putting us under the signature and stamp of the Greek Cypriot government," adding: "If this were acceptable in its present form, I would be telling you today that we have accepted."

Despite his opposition, Denktash may well not have the ability to influence the EU Commission's policy towards north as the aid is likely to flow directly into the non-governmental institutions and organisations who will benefit from the money according to reports.

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