Cypriot and Swiss officials met in Nicosia to discuss about the progress of the projects implemented within the framework of the Agreements signed between the two countries in the fields of Cohesion and Migration. The third annual meeting within the framework of the Second Swiss Contribution 2019-2029, took place on Thursday at the offices of the General Directorate for Growth of the Ministry of Finance. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of Cyprus.

According to a press release issued by the General Directorate for Growth of the Ministry of Finance, during the meeting the delegations discussed about the progress of the projects implemented within the framework of the agreements signed between the two countries in the fields of Cohesion and Migration.

The press release added that the first Framework Agreement aims to reduce economic and social inequalities in the European Union (EU), for the amount of CHF 5.2 million (approximately €5.4 million), while the second Framework Agreement, amounting to CHF 10.0 million (approximately €10.4 million), provides for the support of measures in the field of Migration.  Additional funds of CHF 10.0 million (approximately €10.4 million) are expected to be allocated for this sector. 

Three projects are being financed under the Second Swiss Contribution in the Cohesion Sector. The first project entitled “Preventing Domestic Violence and Protecting Victims”, with a grant of approximately €2.2 million is implemented by the Association for the Prevention and Treatment of Domestic Violence. The project covers the expansion of the work of the Association in Larnaca, Nicosia and Limassol.

The second project is entitled “Rare Care”, with a grant of approximately €2.1 million and is implemented by the Karaiskakio Foundation. The grant will cover the cost of building a specialized center for rare diseases, which will provide holistic, integrated psychosocial support and disease management to people living with rare diseases and their families. 

The third project in the area of ​​cohesion is entitled “Contribution to the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus”, with a grant of approximately €1.1 million and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in cooperation with the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP). The project will cover part of the cost of DNA analyses, staff training, including the creation of a virtual excavation site.

As regards the immigration sector, two projects are being funded. The first is entitled “Development of New Facilities and Capacity Building for Asylum”, with a grant of approximately €9.1 million and is implemented by the Asylum Service of the Deputy Ministry for Migration and International Protection. It will cover part of the cost of building the Asylum Service’s headquarters, for publicity activities and for the exchange of know-how. 

The second project is entitled “Supporting Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration”, with a grant of approximately €1.1 million and is implemented by the International Organization for Migration in collaboration with the Deputy Ministry for Migration and International Protection. The grant will contribute to the development of hospitality infrastructure for vulnerable asylum seekers who wish to return voluntarily to their countries of origin.