11/05/2003 17:53
Ten days after the announcement of the Cyprus Government’s supportive measures for the Turkish Cypriots who live in the northern part of the island, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said that the cost of the measures has been calculated between £12 and £17 million. In an interview to Fileleftheros Mr Papadopoulos stated that the estimates include the increased expenditures of the state agencies involved in the implementation of the measures.
The supportive measures announced on April 30 provide for the establishment of an Office for Turkish Cypriot Affairs, employment facilities, adjustments on the transport of T/C goods in the free areas and participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the European elections.
The cost of the measures is expected to increase the budget deficit for 2003, which was expected to reach 4% of the GDP, placing Cyprus outside the respective Maastricht criterion (3%).
Off Maastricht
President Papadopoulos said that Cyprus is off almost all Maastricht indices (except inflation) and stressed the need to fulfill the Maastricht criteria before the island's full accession in the EU on May 1, 2004. Mr Papadopoulos blamed the previous government for the state of the economy, insisting that Mr Clerides's government transferred a number of financial liabilities from 2002 to 2003, ahead of the February elections.
The supportive measures announced on April 30 provide for the establishment of an Office for Turkish Cypriot Affairs, employment facilities, adjustments on the transport of T/C goods in the free areas and participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the European elections.
The cost of the measures is expected to increase the budget deficit for 2003, which was expected to reach 4% of the GDP, placing Cyprus outside the respective Maastricht criterion (3%).
Off Maastricht
President Papadopoulos said that Cyprus is off almost all Maastricht indices (except inflation) and stressed the need to fulfill the Maastricht criteria before the island's full accession in the EU on May 1, 2004. Mr Papadopoulos blamed the previous government for the state of the economy, insisting that Mr Clerides's government transferred a number of financial liabilities from 2002 to 2003, ahead of the February elections.
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