“This disbursement marks another successful completion of the review and the authorities’ commitment to the programme. It is important to maintain the reform momentum as many challenges still lay ahead,” ESM Managing Director Klaus Regling said.

The current disbursement will bring the total amount of ESM financial assistance for Cyprus to €4.75 billion.

The remaining portion of the approximately €9 billion committed to Cyprus by the ESM is scheduled to be paid in quarterly disbursements until 2016. Cyprus and the so-called troika of international lenders — European Commission, International Monetary Fund and the ECB — agreed last year on a €10 billion bailout to cover the island’s financing needs and to recapitalise the banking sector.

Source: Cyprus Mail