KTTO
disapproves of the
European
Commission’s
proposal for an
amendment to the
Green Line
Regulation
On 13 May 2013, the
European Commission
proposed an amendmentto the
Green Line
Regulation to ease
the transit crossing
of Greek Cypriot
goods from one part
of South Cyprus to
another, through
North Cyprus.
According to the
explanatory
memorandum: “The
amendment aims in
particular to ease
the lives of Greek
Cypriot farmers
living in the Kato
Pyrgos area of
Cyprus.”
KTTO President
Çerkez sent a letter
to EU Enlargement
Commissioner Stefan
Füle expressing his
disapproval of the
EU Commission's
proposal. Çerkez
said: "Instead of
delivering on your
promises and dealing
with all the pending
issues that would
ease the isolation
of Turkish Cypriots,
you give priority to
improve the lives of
Greek Cypriot
citizens, who unlike
Turkish Cypriots,
already fully enjoy
the benefits of
being in the
European Union."
Even though it has
always been a strong
advocate of all
attempts to increase
confidence between
the two Communities
in Cyprus and to
make life easier for
all Cypriots, KTTO
criticized how the
issues waiting to be
solved within the
context of GLR have
been prioritized.
Recalling KTTO’s
proposals on
introducing new
products like farm
fish and dairy
products to the
Green Line Trade and
the full
liberalization of
the trade by
including products
imported to North
Cyprus from all
countries in the
Customs Union,
Çerkez said “We
hope that the EU
will show the
necessary
determination and
political will in
taking the necessary
steps to materialize
our proposals”.
Çerkez called on the
EU Commission to put
into place a direct
trade mechanism that
would enable Turkish
Cypriots to trade
freely and directly
with the rest of the
EU without further
delay.
In the letter
President Çerkez
also drew attention
to the difficulties
faced by Turkish
Cypriots from all
walks of life, from
farming and trade to
tourism and higher
education. “We
cannot travel
directly, nor can we
trade our products
or services directly
to a willing buyer
in the EU. Turkish
Cypriot students
cannot even enjoy
the benefits of the
Erasmus program”,
he stated.
About Us
Established in 1958, the
Turkish Cypriot Chamber of
Commerce (KTTO) is an
internationally-recognized
organization, representing
the Turkish Cypriot business
community at home and
abroad.
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