President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has described the approval of the cohesion policy programme “THALEIA 2021-2027”, as a new important milestone in the coordinated efforts for the transition of Cyprus to a creative and productive reconstruction and to the overall economic and social transformation within the framework of the “Cyprus-Tomorrow” plan.
Speaking at an event in Nicosia attended by EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, the President said that the Commissioner’s presence in Cyprus constitutes “a tangible recognition of the fact that Cyprus is the first country of the European Union to receive the final approval to utilize the overall financial envelope of the Cohesion Policy”, adding that although a small country, it does not lack capabilities compared to the rest of the partners within the Union.
President Anastasiades said that the total amount for the implementation of the “THALEIA” programme reaches 1.8 billion euro, with a national contribution of 840 million euro, which will be allocated to the formation of a robust and competitive economy through smart, digital and green investments, in full harmony with the policies and objectives of the European Union.
The implementation of more than 120 projects and other funding plans falls into this context with five policy areas, which, according to the President of the Republic, include the transition to the digital age through the promotion of investments in the fields of research and innovation, digital transformation and the strengthening of entrepreneurship, the rapid transition to the green economy, with funding programs and investments in clean forms of energy, circular economy, protection of biodiversity, strengthening of urban mobility and addressing climate change.
The key areas of the program were presented by the European Commissioner and the Minister of Finance Constantinos Petrides.
The signing of the partnership agreement between the Cypriot Government and the European Commission for the programme signals Cyprus’ commitment to the joint European priorities in the field of cohesion, Ferreira pointed out.
The Portuguese Commissioner said she was impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm of the Cypriot partners, adding that Cyprus is the first country in Europe to adopt all of the cohesion programs.
“European investments are key to shaping the Cyprus of tomorrow” she pointed out.
She noted that in cooperation with the Cypriot stakeholders they chose three main themes, the first being the promotion of future-oriented investments and the creation of the economy of tomorrow through an increase in the contribution of research and innovation, which in 2020 corresponded to 0.8% of GDP (against 2.3% of the European average), while the further digitization of the economy is moving in the same direction, with Cyprus being in 21st place among the EU-27 in the Digital Economy and Society Index.
The second topic is about green development, she said, adding that one of the lessons from the Ukrainian crisis is that Europe must work for its energy security, since it cannot depend on imported fuel.
The Commissioner said that Cyprus must take advantage of the sun and the sea for the production of economically affordable, green energy, while the completion of the Israel-Cyprus-Greece electrical interconnection is also moving in this direction.
“Energy can also act as a catalyst for peace, cooperation and prosperity between the two communities of Cyprus, but also in the Eastern Mediterranean,” she underlined. She also said that new measures are needed to prevent flooding and coastal erosion, as well as to address the effects of climate change.
The third topic, Ferreira continued, concerns cooperation for a more just Cyprus through the support of reforms in the labor market and the development of young people’s skills. She also referred to initiatives to improve the quality of life in cooperation with local authorities.
Replying to a question, she said that Cyprus’ smartest choice are massive investments in solar energy and other Renewable Energy Sources and she highlighted Cyprus’s commitment to the green agenda.
Asked how the Commission intends to convince the Turkish Cypriot side to strengthen efforts to stop migration flows to Cyprus, she said that the Commission has prepared a proposal to the European Parliament and the European Council regarding support to refugees and immigrants of non-Ukrainian origin and the use of resources in the logic of emergency for their integration under conditions.
In his address, the Minister of Finance said that 45% of the program will be channeled into green development projects, 18% into research and innovation, digitization and actions that will increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the economy, while the third and largest pillar is that of social cohesion.
The aim, he said, is a smarter economy the main areas of which is research and innovation, entrepreneurship and digitization with an equal distribution of resources. He focused on investments in clean forms of energy, circular economy and adaptation to climate change, in the light of developments in Ukraine and given the special characteristics of Cyprus. Petrides also referred to the plan to create a Green Technical School for the preparation of the professions of the future.
Moreover, he said that according to the economic impact study, the implementation of the programme will result in the creation of several thousand jobs and a significant contribution to the GDP.
Source: Cyprus News Agency