PRESIDENT Tassos Papadopoulos said yesterday that Turkish Cypriot trucks would be allowed to cross the Green Line as part of a new series of measures to facilitate the movement of Turkish Cypriots and ease internal trade between the two communities.
Until now, only private cars have been allowed to cross since restrictions on the freedom of movement were eased in late April.
“It is obvious that without the passage of lorries, it will be difficult to transport goods,” Papadopoulos said yesterday.
“We have certain obligations under the European Union with regard to such lorries, but we will try to pass a law on this on Thursday allowing the transportation of lorries as long as they comply, either now or in the foreseeable future, with the obligations imposed on us by the EU,” he said.
“We would like to see internal trade as long as laws and regulations are observed.
“There must be compliance with obligations to the EU as soon as possible and then the outstanding problems will be considered with a positive spirit with the aim of removing such obstacles as far as possible.”
Speaking after a morning meeting with Izzet Izcan, the leader of the Turkish Cypriot United Cyprus Party (BKP), Papadopoulos also said a £15 fine charged for delays in registering children would be lifted, while the House would be asked to look into extending coverage for the car insurance that Turkish Cypriots pay when crossing to the south.
Papadopoulos agreed that the £10 daily insurance fee was “an unbearable burden on people who travel in their own car”.
He said he would ask the House of Representatives to find a way for insurance to cover longer periods, perhaps of two or more months.
“These are three areas which my friends have pointed out are creating unnecessary obstacles and may give the wrong impression that there is discrimination against the Turkish Cypriots,” the President said.
“Our policy is to treat the Turkish Cypriots as absolutely politically equal citizens of the Republic; no discrimination should be allowed and there should be no unnecessary hardships, which are perhaps unavoidable in the starting phases,” he added.
Papadopoulos said the £15 birth registry fine should be abolished by the House by Friday.
The fine for delayed registration applies to Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike, but only affects Turkish Cypriots, since they could not cross the Green Line to get their children registered and obtain birth certificates.
Izcan said his party would “continue to work with good will, for the unity of the island, democracy, human rights and a solution of the Cyprus Problem, preferably before May 2004,” when Cyprus joins the EU.
The Turkish Cypriot politician said there was still a chance for resolving the issue, but added that good will measures were no substitute for a solution.
“For us the Annan plan is a basis for a solution,” Izcan said.
The BKP leader said he was glad Papadopoulos was ready to start negotiations, stressing that tens of thousands of people supported the Annan plan and EU accession.
“With dialogue, there can be a lot of improvements; sooner or later we believe that Cyprus will be united,” he said.
