articles | 19 November 2020

Coronavirus: EU’s €250 million validates govt’s crisis response says minister

Labour Minister Zeta Emilianidou welcomed Wednesday the disbursal of €250 million through the European Commission’s SURE programme, which she said proved that the government’s handling of the fallout from the virus crisis was correct.

The temporary Support to Mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency, or SURE, was made available for member states that need to mobilise significant financial means to fight the negative economic and social consequences of the coronavirus outbreak on their territory.

Cyprus received €250 million on Tuesday and expects an additional €229 million early next year.

The cash will be used by the government to fund eight employment schemes that have been running since March, when the first wave of the virus hit the island.

Approval of the €479 million showed that the government’s policy and the way it tackled the crisis was correct.

The money is essentially a loan that must be repaid in 15 years. Cyprus had all eight schemes approved by the commission making it one of three that succeeded in having all their plans approved.

Emilianidou said Cyprus had also succeeded in securing the highest amount in proportion to its population.

“This gives us courage to continue to implement all these plans because all those who work, businesses and the self-employed, really need our support so we can overcome this difficult problem we face,” the minister said.

The support, in the form of loans granted on favourable terms, will assist member states in addressing sudden increases in public expenditure to preserve employment.

Specifically, they will help cover the costs directly related to the financing of national short-time work schemes, and other similar measures they have put in place as a response to the coronavirus pandemic, including for the self-employed.

The SURE instrument can provide up to €100 billion in financial support to all member states. The commission has so far proposed to make €90.3 billion in financial support available to 18 member states. The next disbursements will take place over the course of the months ahead, following the respective bond issuances.

Source: Cyprus Mail

Cooperation Partners
  • Logo for Cyprus Investment Funds Association
  • Logo for Love Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism
  • Logo for CYFA Cyprus
  • Logo for Invest Cyprus
  • Logo for Association of Cyprus Banks
  • Logo for Cyprus International Businesses Association
  • Logo for Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism
  • Logo for Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • Logo for Cyprus Shipping Chamber