Turkish Cypriots to be offered aid without trade

After more than a year of stalemate, the plan to grant Turkish Cypriot goods preferential access to EU markets is being abandoned by the EU owing to Greek Cypriot objections. Turkish Cypriots are expected to be offered only the EUR 259 mln aid package today.

Moreover, according to reports in the Cyprus Mail, any future progress on trade will be linked to giving concessions on the abandoned town of Varosha, Famagusta port in the north and a moratorium on the sale of Greek Cypriot titled properties in the north.

The inclusion of these conditions effectively rules out progress until the Cyprus problem is solved, which still appears many years away.

The proposal, if approved today, is also likely to delay Turkey’s implementation of the Ankara protocol that allows it to open access to Republic of Cyprus ships.

Turkey was pushing for Turkish Cypriot access to trade before implementing its obligations.

Turkish Cypriots are reported to be very angry at the proposal and could refuse to accept the EUR 259 mln in aid.