European Commission approves €34 million aid for Turkish Cypriot community

The European Commission has approved a €34 million aid program for the Turkish Cypriot community for 2026. The funding is designed to support socio-economic development and facilitate the reunification process on the island.

Key investment areas include aligning food safety and animal health standards with EU norms, specifically supporting the Protected Designation of Origin system for halloumi cheese. The program also aims to boost economic growth by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting innovation, and expanding trade opportunities, including trade via the Green Line.

Additional funding will target critical infrastructure in energy, schools, and waste management, such as water reuse initiatives at the Nicosia communal sewage treatment plant. Furthermore, the aid will continue to support technical committees for cultural heritage and the Committee on Missing Persons, as well as EU scholarship programs for Cypriot youth and Turkish Cypriot students studying in EU universities.