Brussels: The European Commission has announced the adoption of the 2025 EU Aid Programme, which will allocate £33.7 million to the Turkish Cypriot community. This initiative aims to support socio-economic development and advance the reunification process of Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the programme is designed to enhance trade between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities by aligning Turkish Cypriot products with EU standards, particularly in the dairy and agricultural sectors. Additionally, the programme will offer support to small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs in the Turkish Cypriot community to bolster business growth and stability. It also prioritizes improving the skills of workers, teachers, and children with special needs, alongside continuing EU-funded scholarships for Turkish Cypriots in EU Member States.
The programme will further invest in projects focusing on energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and environmental protection. This includes fostering bicommunal cooperation for the rehabilitation of Nicosia’s main riverbed. To strengthen trust between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities, the programme will maintain support for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus and the restoration of Cyprus’s cultural heritage, promoting reconciliation and cultural respect.
Since 2006, the EU has contributed approximately £760 million to the Aid Programme, underscoring its long-term commitment to the region’s development and unity. More detailed information about the programme can be accessed online.