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EU structural funds of €968 million for Cyprus for projects of €1.8 billion in 2021 – 2027

13/01/2021 16:20

Cyprus’ Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides presented on Wednesday the government’s plans to absorb €968 million for projects of €1.8 billion from EU structural funds in the period of 2021 – 2027.

Addressing a press conference at the Ministry of Finance, Petrides expressed his satisfaction because the amount Cyprus will be getting during the next seven years is up by 30% compared to the last seven years following negotiations.

He also said that in the previous seven years Cyprus managed to absorb 100% of the funds made available to it, adding that the effort would be to repeat that performance.

The funds made available have to do with growth and with reducing social differences, he noted, adding that “this is why there are targeted plans to do with smart entrepreneurship, green growth and the creation of jobs.”

In particular, out of €968 million, €467 million will be disbursed from the European Regional Development Fund, €222 million from the European Social Fund, €178 million from the Cohesion Fund and €101 million from the Just Transition Fund.

He also explained that in order for the government to draft its plan, extensive consultations took place with all ministries, local authorities and social partners, while he also gave a series of examples of projects which will be promoted in the context of the plans made.

“The total budget for Cyprus for the period 2021 – 2027 is €968 million which will be used for projects of the order of €1.8 billion, including the national contribution,” Petrides said.

Replying to a question if these funds can start to be used before the budget for 2021 is voted he made it clear that “in order for the state to receive any disbursement this will have to be made through the budget,” adding that “there is no other way.”

The Finance Minister pointed out that the government wants to “make the most” of this tool offered by the European funds. It is true that in the last period Cyprus achieved an absorption of 100% of the funds available to it, he said, adding that “we want to repeat this.”

He further clarified that these funds are part of the budget. “These are funds which we are entitled to receive from the EU and for which we also contribute,” he said. Therefore, he added, “it is our obligation to implement them and to absorb them 100% and to ensure that they have the best possible outcome.”

Asked how familiar Cypriots are with these funds, he said that some are and some aren’t, explaining that there are very strict rules and guidelines as to what the funds can be used for. What people need to comprehend, he pointed out, “is that this money also comes from Cypriot taxpayers.”

According to the planning, €315 million will be used towards the implementation of the policy objective 1 for a smarter Europe, in the context of which projects and schemes will be promoted for innovation, entrepreneurship and digital transformation.

The sum of €728 million will be used towards the implementation of policy objective 2 for a greener Europe. “This is a collective effort by Europe on climate change and we have placed great emphasis on this sector,” Petrides said.

An amount of €94 million will be used towards the implementation of policy objective 3 which has to do with a more connected Europe and includes projects of upgrading road networks in the mountains and smart transport systems in motorways and urban roads.

Petrides also said that €424 million would be used for policy objective 4 which strives for a more social Europe, without exclusions, pointing out that groups of people which have for some reason been excluded from the labour market should have access to special programmes so that “we can promote their integration in a sustainable work status and in better society.”

Another €160 million will be used for policy objective 5 for a Europe closer to its citizens, in the context of which investments will be made for the sustainable growth of urban, rural and coastal areas.