Cypriot government always examining ways to assist Turkish Cypriots

Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs George Lillikas said on Thursday that the government has implemented a series of measures to support the Turkish Cypriots and has never ceased examining other measures.
Speaking after a meeting with a delegation of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE), Lillikas noted that the aim of the government is to assist the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots, in the direction of reuniting the island.
President of KEVE Manthos Mavrommatis said the Chamber, due to its involvement in issues concerning trade between the two sides on the island, believes that the best way to financially support the Turkish Cypriot community is through the relevant EU Regulation and is moving in this direction.
Lillikas said his meeting with KEVE was ”constructive” and focused on his upcoming official visit to Russia on April 10, accompanied by a Chamber delegation.
”We will have discussions on the economic cooperation between Cyprus and Russia, which we consider important, especially in the context of our cooperation so far,” Lillikas noted.
He expressed satisfaction over the fact that he will be accompanied by a KEVE delegation and noted that during the visit technocrats of the Ministry of Commerce and other specialists from the Republic of Cyprus will present the Republic’s tender regarding search for oil deposits in Cyprus‘ exclusive economic zone.
Mavrommatis said KEVE considers the economic relations between Cyprus and Russia important ”in many sectors,” adding that ”there is a large number of Russian companies active and registered in Cyprus, there are very good prospects in the tourism sector from the Russian market, so issues such as visas and other issues were discussed during the meeting.”
”We are on a good track, we believe we will have positive results, so that this close economic relation can be further strengthened,” Mavrommatis pointed out and added that President Tassos Papadopoulos will address an official dinner on May 24 in Nicosia, organised by the Cyprus-Russia Business Association.
Asked if during their meeting they discussed the issue of trade between EU and the areas of the Republic not under the effective control of the government, Lillikas said he briefed KEVE on the issue of the relevant regulation and exchanged views with the delegation.
Mavrommatis said KEVE, due to its involvement in issues concerning trade between the two sides on the island, ”believes sincerely that the best way to financially support the Turkish Cypriot community is through the Green Line trade, and is moving in this direction.”
Replying to questions, Lillikas said ”the Cypriot government has announced and is already implementing a series of measures to support the Turkish Cypriots, and has never ceased examining other measures.”
”Our aim is to assist the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots but always in a direction that will help towards the reunification of Cyprus and not in the direction of division,” he added.