Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway donated Monday the total amount of 7.85 million euros assistance to Cyprus for the period 2009-2014.

According to an official announcement, the assistance is given in the framework of an agreement of the three countries with the EU, to support the new EU Member States.

Cyprus and the three donor states signed two Memoranda of Understanding, one for the EEA Grants and one for the Grant of Norway.

The grants aim to promote various projects concerning the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems, the protection of children and youth, the preservation of cultural heritage, public health, to prevent and combat domestic violence, to strengthen systems for combating economic crime and to support civil society. Some of the projects are bi-communal and are expected to help promoting bi-communal contacts.