Cyprus Finance Minister Makis Keravnos reiterated the government’s political will to absorb the highest possible EU funds, as they constitute a source of funding for growth.
Keravnos met on Tuesday with the Director-General for the EU Regional and Urban Policy, Themis Christophidou who said she was very pleased over Cyprus’ excellent EU funds absorption capacity.
The meeting focused on the implementation of EU Cohesion Policy co-financed projects, Cyprus’ pound 1.8-billion Programme ‘Thalia 2021-2027’ as well as ways of cooperation.
Keravnos and Christophidou focused on the initiation of the ‘Thalia’ programme, as Cyprus within 2024 will submit to the European Commission an application for a payment of pound 250 million.
They also discussed the absorption of EU funds for the programme period of 2014 – 2020, with Cyprus by end-2023 expected to absorb all available funds amounting to pound 878 million.
The Cypriot Minster and the EU technocrat also acknowledged the importance of cooperation both between n
ational authorities and the EU Commission and between other stakeholders, including the central government, local authorities, businesses and the civil society.
Christophidou said she was very pleased over Cyprus excellent performance both over the absorption of EU funds as well as low rate of faults, adding she was sure over the successful implementation of THALIA programme.
On his part, Keravnos highlighted the importance of Cohesion Policy both for Cyprus and the whole EU. Expressing satisfaction over Cyprus’ positive results, he thanked the EU Commission over the long-standing collaboration.
He also highlighted the government’s will to utilised the highest possible EU funds which constitute a significant source of development capital which could further contribute to the island’s progress and tackling the effects of the global uncertainty.
Source: Cyprus News Agency