Brussels, 15/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission decided to allocate some EUR 39.1 million to help boost economic development for the Turkish Cypriot community.
In February 2006, the EU adopted Regulation 389/2006 allocating EUR 259 mil of aid with the aim of facilitating the reunification of Cyprus and encouraging economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community, focussing on encouraging integration of the island's economy, improving contacts between the Greek and Turkish communities and between Cyprus and the EU and preparing for the gradual adoption of EU legislation. Friday's decision earmarks EUR 38.1 mil of the overall package for specific projets, with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn encouraging Member States to move to the next stage and adopt the 2004 proposal on direct trading links between the EU and the Turkish Cypriot community.
The EUR 38.1 mil will fund six projects - a programme for processing solid waste in the Turkish Cypriot community; a feasibility study for rehabitating the Lefke/Lefka mining region; improving management of the energy industry; improving urban and local infrastructure; encouraging the development of the private sector in the Turkish Cypriot community; and providing information about the European Union's political and legal system. A second tranche of financial aid will be decided before the end of the year (the Phare management committee issued a favourable opinion on 20 October 2006). The Commission has set up a team of Commission experts and contractual agents working in both Brussels and Cyprus to oversee application of the aid. The programme team can be reached in Brussels and at the European Commission's representation office in Cyprus, and will call upon the programme's support office in the north of Cyprus to facilitate contact with the Turkish Cypriot community to coordinate, prepare and actually implement the aid scheme. (ol)