THE European Commission is seriously concerned over the growing number of third country nationals crossing the Green Line illegally, calling on the government yesterday to take concrete preventative action.
In its annual report on the Green Line Regulation introduced in 2004 to facilitate the movement of Greek and Turkish Cypriots and EU nationals, as well as trade, the Commission said the number of illegal immigrants crossing was “raising serious concern”.
According to data submitted by the Greek Cypriot authorities, the number of illegal immigrants detained after crossing the Green Line increased from 725 in 2002 to 3,796 in 2003 to 5,287 in 2004 and 4,748 in the first nine m months of 2005.
The majority seek political asylum, the report said, adding that this figure increased from 950 in 2002 to over 4,410 in 2003 to 9,860 in 2004.
“The Commission is of the opinion that the surveillance of the line conducted by the Republic of Cyprus… needs further strengthening,” the report said.
It said it would continue to monitor the situation.
During a workshop on the issue in Brussels last December, the Cyprus government said it would need to increase personnel, purchase additional surveillance equipment, build more detention facilities, restrict the issue of visas and the rights of asylum seekers and launch an information campaign aiming to discourage potential immigrants.
“The Commission recommended that the authorities of the Republic take concrete steps in order to comply with their obligation under the Green Line Regulation, also with a view to the future participation of Cyprus in the Schengen area,” the report said. “Even though the Green Line does not constitute an external border, the surveillance obligations on the side of the Republic of Cyprus should be met effectively while at the same time not hindering the contact between the two Communities.”
The Green Line Regulation has been operational since May 1, 2004 when Cyprus joined the Union.
It defines the terms under which the provisions of the EU law apply to the movement of goods and persons across the line.
In terms of goods, the report reveals that the amount of trade between the two sides remained disappointing, totalling only around €2 million per year, which is higher, but not significantly up on the previous year.
This was due to a number of reasons, according to the report.
“Several reported cases confirm that there are still many obstacles to the further development of Green Line trade,” said the report. It cited among other things the fact that Greek Cypriot authorities still do not accept roadworthiness certificates of commercial vehicles or professional diving licences issued by the Turkish Cypriot authorities.
It also said that pressure groups on both sides of the Green Line were active in preventing the development of trade for various reasons.
“A new negative feature is direct pressure on traders from within the Turkish Cypriot community,” it said.
In the period covered by the report, some new products were introduced, such as electronic and kitchen equipment, “contributing to a significant though temporary increase in the monthly value of trade”, which is monitored by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.
Wood products, furniture, vegetables, plastic and paper products constituted the main groups of products traded. Only in one single case – Turkish delights destined for the UK – did goods cross the Green Line with a destination outside the island, the report said.
Trade from the government-controlled areas to the northern part of the island amounted to only €442,408 in the reporting period, less than a quarter of the trade in the opposite direction.
“Many obstacles for trade across the Green Line continue to exist,” said the report, including difficulties for Turkish Cypriot traders to advertise in the Greek Cypriot press.
It also said the Greek Cypriot side was applying a system of ad hoc decisions which did not seem to be “sufficiently transparent”.
