Mr Michel Barnier, Commissioner for Regional Policy, has announced the approval by the Commission of a programme for cross-border co-operation between Greece and Cyprus to be financed by the Interreg III A Community Initiative. The programme provides Euro 47 million in financial support from the European Union. The programme focuses on increased cross-border co-operation and sustainable development of the regional economy. The European funding will attract a further Euro 15.7 million in investment from the public sector and Euro 8.5 million from the private sector, creating total resources of Euro 71.2 million.
Announcing the decision, Michel Barnier said: "This programme is an important tool for Greece and Cyprus in view of the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. It offers an opportunity to Cyprus to benefit, as for other candidate countries, from the experience of cross-border co-operation with a neighbouring region inside the Union".
The maritime cross-border co-operation programme covers the Greek regions of Crete, North Aegean and South Aegean in Greece. The total population living in the area amounts to 1.7 million people, of which 1 million live in the Greek regions and 0.7 in Cyprus. The economy of the Greek area is geared towards services and agriculture (54% of the workforce employed in the service sector, 30% employed in agriculture). The Cypriot economy is more service-oriented with about 65% of its population employed in that sector, particularly tourism.
The programme priorities are based on an analysis of the region's strengths and weaknesses. The participating countries have identified three priorities for action in order to reinforce economic, social and cultural integration in the border area and to stimulate the regional development of the border regions involved. These priorities are:
Cross-border infrastructure. Key actions include improving of port infrastructures, customs facilities and border control and security installations (Community contribution: Euro 19.8 million).
Economic development and employment. Key actions include encouraging co-operation between firms, universities and research centres and promoting new employment opportunities by introducing new technologies (Community contribution: Euro 10.1 million)
Quality of life, environment and culture. This priority focuses on measures to protect and improve the natural environment, to promote the cultural and tourist resources and to improve the quality of public health services provided through the exchange of know-how on the design and management of local health care centres (Community contribution: Euro 16.2 million).
Another Euro 1 million of Community funding will be provided under the heading of technical assistance.
The arrangements will ensure that assistance for Cyprus is targeted towards pre-accession investment, institution-building priorities and support in economic and social cohesion.
Announcing the decision, Michel Barnier said: "This programme is an important tool for Greece and Cyprus in view of the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. It offers an opportunity to Cyprus to benefit, as for other candidate countries, from the experience of cross-border co-operation with a neighbouring region inside the Union".
The maritime cross-border co-operation programme covers the Greek regions of Crete, North Aegean and South Aegean in Greece. The total population living in the area amounts to 1.7 million people, of which 1 million live in the Greek regions and 0.7 in Cyprus. The economy of the Greek area is geared towards services and agriculture (54% of the workforce employed in the service sector, 30% employed in agriculture). The Cypriot economy is more service-oriented with about 65% of its population employed in that sector, particularly tourism.
The programme priorities are based on an analysis of the region's strengths and weaknesses. The participating countries have identified three priorities for action in order to reinforce economic, social and cultural integration in the border area and to stimulate the regional development of the border regions involved. These priorities are:
Cross-border infrastructure. Key actions include improving of port infrastructures, customs facilities and border control and security installations (Community contribution: Euro 19.8 million).
Economic development and employment. Key actions include encouraging co-operation between firms, universities and research centres and promoting new employment opportunities by introducing new technologies (Community contribution: Euro 10.1 million)
Quality of life, environment and culture. This priority focuses on measures to protect and improve the natural environment, to promote the cultural and tourist resources and to improve the quality of public health services provided through the exchange of know-how on the design and management of local health care centres (Community contribution: Euro 16.2 million).
Another Euro 1 million of Community funding will be provided under the heading of technical assistance.
The arrangements will ensure that assistance for Cyprus is targeted towards pre-accession investment, institution-building priorities and support in economic and social cohesion.
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