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EU Delivers Aid To Turkish Cypriots

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

30 October 2006

The European Commission on Friday adopted a financing decision for a total of EUR38.1 million to encourage the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community.

The financial assistance will focus on three objectives: developing physical infrastructure, promoting economic and social development and bringing the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the European Union.

The overall objective of the financial assistance provided by the European Union is to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community with particular emphasis on the economic integration of the island, on improving contacts between the two communities and with the EU, and on preparation for the gradual adoption of the European Union’s legal order.

Following the adoption of the financing decision Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn stated that:

“I welcome today's decision that enables us to realise concrete projects bringing the Turkish Cypriot Community closer to Europe. It is another step by the EU towards putting an end to the isolation of this community and thus facilitating the reunification of Cyprus. I also encourage the member states to take the next step and adopt our proposal from 2004 on direct trade between the EU and the Turkish Cypriot community."

From the EUR38.1 million, the following projects will be supported:

  • Solid waste sector programme for the Turkish Cypriot community;
  • Feasibility study for the rehabilitation of the Lefke/Lefka mining area;
  • Upgrading the management of the energy sector; 4) Upgrading of urban and local infrastructure;
  • Supporting private sector development within the Turkish Cypriot community;
  • Information on the European Union political and legal order.

The second part of the financial assistance will be adopted before the end of 2006, after the favourable opinion of the Phare Management Committee on 20 October 2006.

For the implementation of the assistance, the Commission has put in place a Programme Team composed of Commission officials and contract agents working both in Brussels and in Cyprus.

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