European Commission to Allocate Nearly €40 Million to Turkish Cypriot Community

As part of the 2024 Aid Program, the European Commission will provide an additional €39.5 million to the Turkish Cypriot community. These funds will be used to “support the reunification of Cyprus and promote the socio-economic development of the community.”

The Commission announced that the Annual Action Program for this year was approved on September 3.

The 2024 Action Program will continue to support innovative projects under the Aid Program, including the “Halloumi/Helim” project for products with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and the expansion of trade through the “Green Line.”

According to the statement, the “Halloumi/Helim” product with PDO status is the first PDO product available to Turkish Cypriot producers. The funding provided in the 2024 program will help local producers bring their products to the EU market, meeting safety standards.

The grant support program, designed for stakeholders in the dairy and agrofood sectors, will assist producers in meeting the necessary standards to sell PDO-compliant “Halloumi/Helim” through the “Green Line” and benefit from this trade.

Additionally, the program allocates funds for the construction of a bi-communal solar power plant in line with the EU's “Green Deal” goals, subject to agreement from both communities.

• “This project will strengthen cooperation between the two communities in energy efficiency and clean energy production,” said the European Commission.

To support the private sector, small and medium-sized enterprises, and entrepreneurs will receive grants and technical assistance to expand and consolidate their businesses, along with technical support in education.

Teachers and educators will receive support and laboratory equipment to enhance their skills in continuous learning and special education.

The statement also highlighted that support for the bi-communal scholarship program will remain a priority during the 2024 funding period. Joint support provided to Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot students participating together in the International Baccalaureate program at one of the United World Colleges (UWC) focused on peace.

The program will also continue to support the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus and the restoration of Cyprus's cultural heritage, aiming to strengthen trust between communities. This support is intended to promote reconciliation and respect for Cyprus's diverse cultures and religions.