November 22, 2023
A full-day meeting of the Monitoring Committees of the co-funded EU Cohesion Policy Programmes, organised by the Directorate General Growth of the Ministry of Finance, was successfully held on Wednesday, 22 November 2023.
The aim of the meeting was to inform Members on the progress in the implementation of the Programmes which are co-funded by the EU Cohesion Policy Funds for the period 2014-2020 and the “THALIA2021-2027” Programme.
In addressing the meeting, honourable Minister of Finance Mr. Makis Keravnos stressed the importance of the Cohesion Policy, which is a fundamental Pillar of the European Union and guarantees that no Member State is left behind as far as growth is concerned. He pointed out that the efficient use of European resources has multiple benefits for both economic growth and social cohesion. He highlighted Cyprus’ excellent performance in the absorption of European resources and thanked the competent public authorities and the European Commission for their efforts and cooperation over the years. He also underlined the Government’s political will to use as many European resources as possible, stating that they represent an important source of growth capital that will further contribute both to our country’s progress and to addressing the effects of the global crisis.
In his introductory speech, Mr. Andreas Zachariades, Acting Permanent Secretary of Directorate General Growth, Ministry of Finance, expressed his satisfaction over the fact that all the projects of the programming period 2014-2020, with a total budget of €1 billion, have been completed and Cyprus has achieved 100% absorption rate without losing a single euro. At the same time, he added, this is a very busy period as we need to finalise the 2014-2020 programmes while escalating efforts to implement the projects of the “THALIA2021-2027” Programme, totalling €1.81 billion. Calls worth €500 million have already been announced for projects to support entrepreneurship, research and innovation, energy savings and the strengthening of employment and social cohesion.
In the context of the Committee’s work, the Members were informed about actions implemented under the co-funded Programmes, such as projects that have been executed or are currently under way in Nicosia Municipality, as well as operations of strategic importance in the sectors of digitisation, circular economy and social inclusion.
A substantial part of the meeting was dedicated to the public consultation on the Future of the EU Cohesion Policy after 2027. Reference was made to the relevant Cohesion Policy Reports and the discussions taking place at European level. This was followed by a round table discussion, during which Members exchanged views, expressed concerns and made recommendations. The conclusions of the consultation will form the basis for drafting Cyprus’ national position.
The meeting, which took place in the conference hall of the Nicosia Municipal Council, was attended by representatives of the competent Ministries and public authorities, local self-government authorities, economic and social partners, civil society and research organisations, as well as representatives of the European Commission.
To view the Session’s informational material, click here.