adminThe appeal came from president Nicos Anastasiades, who did not specify what he was seeking, but presidential spokesman Christos Stylianides made clear Nicosia was not looking for more money under the bailout programme.
The government “has not requested additional financial assistance under the memorandum with the troika”, Stylianides said in a statement, referring to the deal reached with the so-called troika of international lenders.
“What the president of the republic is discussing with European officials is the possibility of increasing European funds for growth and social cohesion.”
Stylianides said Cyprus will seek funds under the EU’s multi-annual financial framework 2014-2020 for member states suffering serious consequences from the euro crisis.
He said Cyprus is also looking for additional funding from EU social cohesion and rural development funds.
“We will apply so as the percentage of EU co-funding of various programmes increases significantly to allow their absorption without a significant burden on national resources,” he told reporters.
“The government will mobilise at all levels and hopes to secure significant additional resources for financing growth and social cohesion.”
Anastasiades said he had already spoken to EU Economy and Euro Commissioner Olli Rehn ahead of the Dublin meeting and would also write to European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso and EU President Herman Van Rompuy.— AFP.
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