The European Commission has approved the 2023 Annual Action Program, which allocates 31.7 million Euros to the Turkish Cypriot people.

A statement from the European Commission’s Cyprus Representation stated that the Annual Action Program provides comprehensive EU support, including special measures.

Stating that the program will continue to support trade across the Green Line and to ensure compliance with EU product and production standards, including the area of product safety, the statement also added that local businesses will be provided with special technical support and grants, and that vocational education and training will be supported.

The statement said that the support will increase youth employment and facilitate labour mobility across the Green Line.

The statement also noted that the program will continue to provide significant funding to the Committee on Missing Persons and the Technical Committee on Bi-communal Cultural Heritage in order to enhance trust between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot peoples in Cyprus.

In a statement on the issue, the European Commission Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira said that this year’s program will continue to contribute to economic development and social cohesion in Cyprus and will play an important role in facilitating a comprehensive solution in Cyprus.