Press Release: Aid Programme for Turkish Cypriot community helps prepare for reunification

The Commission approved the annual report for 2008 on the implementation of the aid programme for the Turkish Cypriot community on 8 July, 2009. The aid programme aims to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community with particular emphasis on the economic integration of the island, on improving contacts between the two communities and with the EU, and on preparation for the EU's legal order. €259 million is available to implement the programme over the period 2006-2011.