Nicosia, Cyprus. The Cypriot government has proposed that the European Union provide €389 million in support for the Turkish Cypriot community between 2028 and 2034 as part of its submission for the bloc’s next multiannual financial framework. The amount is just under €56 million per year and matches the level proposed by the European Commission in its own draft framework last year.
Proposed allocation in the EU budget
The proposed allocation for the Turkish Cypriot community represents about 0.02 per cent of the total €1.73 trillion budget proposed by the Cypriot government, and an even smaller share of the €1.76 trillion total. It is, however, a significant increase from the €240 million allocated for the 2021-2027 period.
Most recent annual funding
In the most recent annual allocation, made in September last year, the European Commission provided €33.7 million to the Turkish Cypriot community. The Commission said the funding was intended to support socioeconomic development and facilitate Cyprus’ reunification process.
Areas targeted by the aid programme
The European Commission said the aid programme aims to boost trade between the two communities across the Green Line by helping align Turkish Cypriot products with EU standards, including in the dairy and agricultural sectors.
It said support would also be directed to Turkish Cypriot small and medium-sized companies and to entrepreneurs to help them grow and consolidate their businesses.
The Commission also said priorities included improving the skills of workers, teachers, and children with special needs, while continuing EU-funded scholarships for Turkish Cypriots in EU member states.
Energy, environment, and bicommunal projects
According to the Commission, last year’s allocation was also intended to support projects in energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and environmental protection, including bicommunal cooperation on the rehabilitation of Nicosia’s main riverbed.
Support for bicommunal committees
The allocation included €2.6 million in direct support for the Committee on Missing Persons and €2.5 million for the bicommunal technical committee on cultural heritage.
The European Union said in September last year that, since 2006, it has allocated more than €43.7 million to the Committee on Missing Persons, accounting for more than 80 per cent of the committee’s funding over that period.