EU signs €2.6m aid agreement for CMP

12:17 - 10 January 2024

Current Affairs

The European Commission (EC) has signed a €2.6m agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist the work of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP).

This is the EC’s 15th agreement with the UNDP, with the former saying in a press release that it demonstrates the strong commitment of the European Commission to peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts in Cyprus.

Through the EU’s Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, the new financial assistance will contribute to CMP’s efforts to recover, identify and return the missing persons to their families, it added.

It noted that the European Commission supports the work of bi-communal Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scientific teams involved in all stages of the work of CMP. These activities contribute to achieving a better understanding of mutual concerns and foster cooperation between the Cypriot communities, while providing relief to the families of missing persons as a crucial aspect of the overall efforts for reconciliation in the island.

Since 2006, the European Commission has been the largest provider of financial assistance to CMP, contributing almost €38.5 million and helping identify 1,044 persons out of the 2,022 missing. According to statistical data published on CMP’s website, by 31 December 2023, out of 2,002 missing persons, 1,228 have been exhumed and 1,044 identified. Out of 1,510 Greek Cypriot missing persons 751 were identified and 759 are still missing. Out of 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons, 293 were identified and 199 are still missing.

EU signs €2.6m aid agreement for CMP

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