The European Commission has signed a €2.6 million funding agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to further support the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP).
This marks the 16th such agreement, highlighting the EU’s continued dedication to promoting peace and reconciliation on the island.
In a press release from the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, it is said that the funding, provided through the EU’s Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, will assist CMP in its mission to recover, identify, and return the remains of missing persons to their families. The committee is tasked with addressing the fates of 2,002 individuals—492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,510 Greek Cypriots—who went missing during the inter-communal violence of 1963-1964 and the events of 1974.
The European Commission emphasized its ongoing support for CMP’s bi-communal teams, composed of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot experts in the press release.
These teams collaborate at every stage of the recovery and identification process, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between the two communities. This humanitarian effort not only brings closure to families but also strengthens reconciliation initiatives in Cyprus.
Since 2006, the European Commission has provided €41.1 million to CMP, making it the committee’s largest financial contributor. This support has enabled the identification of 1,051 missing individuals, offering solace to affected families and contributing to the broader objective of peacebuilding on the island.
( Source : Voice Cyprus News)
