Government disappointed at delay in passing Turkish Cypriot measures

THE government said yesterday it was unfortunate that the House had not voted on Thursday on the bill allowing Turkish Cypriot trucks to cross the divide to carry goods in an attempt to promote internal trade between the two communities.
The measure had been announced by President Tassos Papadopoulos earlier this week and were expected to take effect yesterday after approval from the House on Thursday.
Voting, however, was postponed following a request from DISY, who suggested it would be more proper if the matter was discussed before the House Communications Committee first.
House president Demetris Christofias said a delay could hurt the image of the Greek Cypriot side, since the National Council had already unanimously agreed on the measures.
DISY parliamentary spokesman Demetris Syllouris countered, however, that his party was not against the measures, but that a closer study could help in their implementation.
Yesterday, Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said it was unfortunate that the House had not voted on the regulations, but expected that by next week all problems and questions would have been settled.
“The government believes that it should go ahead as soon as possible to facilitate trade between Greek and Turkish Cypriots,” Chrysostomides said.
He added that there would not be additional legislation regarding the products carried by the Turkish Cypriot lorries.
“What was said and is viewed as a practical solution without any further consequences is, considering that the products are proved to originate here, then they can commute,” the spokesman said.
He added: “This could be resolved either by a certificate or a letter from the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, which would accompany the lorries.”
He reiterated that exports would be carried out from the Republic’s legal ports.
The spokesman said the lorries would undergo checks from the transport department to determine whether they were road worthy.
Chrysostomides said there was no indication or estimate on the number of lorries expected, but various comments by Turkish Cypriot traders showed that there would be a substantial movement of goods in various sectors.
Turkish Cypriots would have to pay VAT on their goods but the possibility they would be selling at lower prices should be expected, the spokesman said.
He added that some financial consequences should be expected, but not of such a scale as to create problems to the economy.

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