“Today Cyprus will receive €250 million through SURE for safeguarding jobs over the course of the pandemic. In total Cyprus will receive €479 million through SURE,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen 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.

Von der Leyen said: “The second wave is hitting Europe hard. The EU is here to support. We want to protect people from this virus and we also want to protect their jobs, as this crisis affects businesses too. Many jobs are on the line. With SURE, we mobilise up to €100 billion in loans to EU countries to help finance short-time work schemes. This second disbursement of €14 billion will help workers receive an income. More will come.”

Source: Cyprus Mail