Papadopoulos against opening up Turkish Cypriot trade

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has spoken out against any attempts to open up Turkish Cypriot trade, saying that it perpetuates the division of the island.

Last month Turkey offered to implement the Ankara protocol in return for opening up Turkish Cypriot trade.

Speaking after returning from a four-day working visit to Austria, President Papadopoulos said the Cypriot government disagrees with the US policy regarding the issue of direct trade with the Turkish occupied areas that reunification will come with the lifting of what Greek Cypriots call the ‘so-called restrictions’ on trade.

President Papadopoulos said that “on the contrary, free trade makes official and perpetuates division and not reunification,” adding that he was against American policy “with all the available means and power we have.”

It is not yet clear whether the US is planning direct trade with northern Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots are unable to trade directly with EU and other countries because its ports and airport are not recognised.

Meanwhile, Papadopoulos said that the Austrian Presidency is trying to decouple the two EU regulations on direct trade and financial aid for Turkish Cypriots.

Greek Cypriots have blocked the trade regulation but are not in principle against the financial aid.

“The Republic of Cyprus will not be responsible if the remaining funds have not been allocated,” he said.

President Papadopoulos said that Austria is “a friendly country which shows a lot of understanding towards our positions”.