The European Commission has entered into a €2.6 million agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support the efforts of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP).

In a press release from the EC, it was stated that this marks the 15th agreement with the UNDP, underscoring the European Commission’s steadfast commitment to peacebuilding and reconciliation initiatives in Cyprus.

Under the EU’s Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, the newly allocated financial assistance will aid the CMP in its mission to locate, identify, and return the remains of missing individuals to their families.

The release highlighted the European Commission’s endorsement of the collaborative work of bi-communal Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scientific teams throughout the CMP’s operations. These joint activities aim to deepen the understanding of shared concerns and promote cooperation between the Cypriot communities. Simultaneously, they offer solace to the families of missing persons, constituting a vital element of broader reconciliation efforts on the island.

Since 2006, the European Commission has been the principal contributor of financial support to the CMP, amounting to almost €38.5 million. This funding has played a crucial role in identifying 1,044 individuals out of the 2,022 reported missing.

It is estimated that 492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,510 Greek Cypriots went missing during the conflicts of 1963-1964 and 1974.

As per statistics published on the CMP website by December 31, 2023, out of the 2,002 missing persons, 1,228 have been exhumed, and 1,044 have been identified. Of the 1,510 Greek Cypriot missing persons, 751 have been identified, and 759 remain missing. Among the 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons, 293 have been identified, leaving 199 still unaccounted for.