Cyprus Government continues gas supply to Turkish occupied north

The Cyprus government continues to supply the island’s northern Turkish occupied areas with gas, responding to a request by the Turkish Cypriot community.

Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Antonis Paschalides said Tuesday that all 400 tones of gas which the government has promised to supply will be delivered, adding that the payment will be made in a bank recognised by the Cyprus Central Bank, at the normal retail price.

He added that the government followed all legal and safety procedures and had already delivered some of the 400 tones. He also noted that the government responded immediately to the request for gas supply in the occupied areas for humanitarian reasons.

Head of “Intergaz” Demos Demosthenous said Tuesday that his company, which has undertaken the supply, had already started delivering the gas. Explaining the process, he said that four of his company tankers drive to Strovilia checkpoint, where they meet with Turkish Cypriot tankers and the gas is distributed through pipes.

The Cyprus Electricity Authority had in the past supplied the occupied areas with electricity, with the consent of the government.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.