The Green Line Regulation is a tool assisting the reunification of the country, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Tuesday, during a discussion at the Parliament, noting the government’s commitment to comply with the Regulation, but also that no move should be made to amend it because it is “extremely dangerous”.
He also noted that trade conducted in the framework of the Green Line Regulation has increased by 10% from 2022 to 2023, while data by the end of October this year, show that last year’s results could be exceeded.
The Committee also heard that products worth €16 million in total come from the Turkish occupied area to the government-controlled areas, while the value of Greek Cypriot products sold in the occupied area is approximately €1.5 million.
The Minister participated in a discussion on the political aspects of the Green Line Regulation, at the House Committee on Foreign and European Affairs. The Regulation adopted by the EU after Cyprus joined the bloc in May 2004, defines the legal framework on the crossing of goods, persons and services to and from the island’s northern Turkish occupied areas.
Kombos said that the Republic of Cyprus was “in full coordination” with the European Commission on the Regulation. He added that the policy as regards the Green Line Regulation was based on a set of pillars, namely that it is a tool to assist the country’s reunification, that the guiding principle is compliance with the Regulation, but also that no move should be made for any amendment “because it is extremely dangerous” and may bring about negative developments.
The Minister also said that the Republic of Cyprus has obligations within the framework of the Regulation such as fighting smuggling, securing safety and health issues, etc.
“We want to have a balance between our obligations and the use of the Regulation as a tool for the reunification of our island”, Kombos said.
The checks carried out, he said, should not be seen as something negative because they stem from the Republic of Cyprus’ obligations. He also noted that the crossings of persons was constantly increasing.
He added that this was “a sui generis situation” and that issues of interpretation of the Regulation may sometimes arise, but “we always try to resolve the problems in cooperation with the Commission”.
Regarding the problems faced as regards money transfers, which, as it was mentioned at the discussion lead to many cash transactions, he said “we are in a difficult process to find a solution that does not affect the banks in terms of their own obligations but also does not undermine the Republic of Cyprus and its obligations under EU Law”, Kombos said.
A very effective solution would be the lifting of the Turkish ban on cooperation between Turkish banks and Cypriot banks, he added.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Also read: Kombos: Discussion for NATO membership in timely manner
Source: CNA/EAN/MK/2024
