E.U. General Affairs Council Expected To Approve Financial Aid To N. Cyprus

LUXEMBOURG - The European Union (EU) foreign ministers pledged to give financial aid to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), sources said on Monday.
While the EU General Affairs Council meeting continued in Brussels, a statement which was prepared by EU term president Ireland and said to have been approved by member states expressed determination to promote economic development of Turkish Cypriots who ''expressed a clear desire for a future within the European Union'', sources said.
The statement which has not been approved formally, recommends approval of an aid of 259 million euro which was allocated to the TRNC in case of a solution in Cyprus and requests the EU Commission to give start for necessary efforts for development of such projects.
(MS-AY) 26.04.2004