THE EUROPEAN Commission has decided to release a contested 139 million euro aid package to the north, in what is the biggest per capita assistance ever given by the 25-nation bloc.
The impetus for the EU’s proposal was that the Turkish Cypriot community should not be left in the lurch after the Greek Cypriot rejection of the UN blueprint. Had the Greek Cypriots joined the Turkish Cypriots in voting ‘yes’ to the Annan plan, a reunited Cyprus would have gained full membership of the EU in May 2004. As it stands, the EU’s acquis communautaire remains suspended in the Turkish Cypriot-controlled north.
Back in February COREPER (Committee of Permanent Representatives) gave the go-ahead for 139 million euros to be disbursed for the development of infrastructures in the north. The initiative was taken by Austria, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency.
The Turkish Cypriot side, which wanted the package to be coupled to direct trade with the EU, will only receive the aid package if it accepts being bound by the conditions outlined.
A cover note prepared by the EU body decoupled the two issues, to the satisfaction of the Cyprus government.
Due to the impasse, 120 million of the initial 259 million euro aid package was lost at the turn of the year because the money had to be allocated by December 31, 2005
According to media reports yesterday, Nicosia seemed satisfied with the latest development, as the European Commission gave assurances that the financial package would in no way entail recognition of the breakaway regime.
Moreover, while an office will be set up in the north to handle the disbursements, it will not be autonomous, as the overall supervision of the package will come under the Commission’s offices in the free areas.
The European Commission’s decision provides for the establishment of two mechanisms. One will comprise four to five employees of the EU’s Enlargement Department, who will work out of Nicosia. Their job is to oversee implementation of the package.
The other mechanism will see 60 to 70 experts (architects, mechanics, veterinarians, agriculturalists) working from Brussels. They will provide technical support for implementation.
The package concerns the funding of infrastructure projects, including roadworks, sewerage, actions to adapt Turkish Cypriot society to the EU acquis and actions encouraging rapprochement between the two communities.
I wonder what the actions to adapt Turkish Cypriot society to the EU acquis will be!
