EU financial support to Turkish Cypriots

The European Union (EU) has approved a program of 33.4 million Euro aid in support of Turkish Cypriots.

In a statement made by the EU Commission, it was reported that the 2022 Action Program prepared for the Turkish Cypriot community has been approved.

It was stated that the program with a total budget of 33.4 million Euros will support various projects aimed at increasing economic development, peace and confidence-building measures toward Turkish Cypriots.

Emphasizing that Turkish Cypriot halloumi/hellim producers' compliance with EU standards will also be supported, the statement said, green energy and environmental investments will also be included in the scope of support, in line with the EU's Green Consensus, it said.

It also added that funds will continue to be provided to the Missing Persons Committee in Cyprus and the Cultural Heritage Technical Committee, and also to the academic scholarship program of the Turkish Cypriots.

Reminding that 656 million Euros were allocated to various projects between 2006 and 2022 within the scope of the support program, the statement said that the EU-registered halloumi/hellim produced in Cyprus was registered as a Protected Designation of Origin in April last year.

It was stated that Turkish Cypriot halloumi/hellim producers would also be within the scope of this protection and that the halloumi/hellim and the milk from which it was made should comply with EU animal and public health standards.

In this process, the halloumi/hellim package was announced in support of producers.