The European Commission has approved the fifth annual report on the implementation of the EU regulation on the Green Line, between the Cypriot government controlled areas and the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.
The report states that additional effort is needed as far as tackling illegal immigration is concerned.
The report, covering the year to 30 April 2009, notes also that trade in goods increased by more than a third, but expresses concern over smuggling cases across the Line.
In the report it is stated that control of people crossing the Green Line, at the authorized crossing points works well, but “the number of third country nationals crossing the Line illegally between the crossing points remains significant- total number of apprehended illegal migrants is 5,525”.
“Both the Republic of Cyprus and the UK Sovereign Base Areas reinforced their surveillance of the Line, however additional effort is needed in this respect”, it is added.
The report also refers to the total value of goods entering the southern government controlled areas under the provisions of the Green Line Regulation, noting that it was 6.1 million euro, up 36% on the previous year.
“Green Line trade now accounts for over 10% of Turkish Cypriot trade leaving the northern part of Cyprus”, a press release on the report says.
It is also noted that “however, smuggling across the Line remains a matter of concern”.
Following the adoption of the report, EU Enlargement Commissioner Oli Rehn welcomed the “positive results of this year’s Green Line Report” saying “I am particularly encouraged by the further substantial increase in Green Line trade”.
“I also take note of the challenges concerning the further strengthening of the surveillance of the Line between the crossing points'', he says.
Rehn notes that following a comprehensive settlement and the reunification of the island, the Green Line Regulation will no longer be needed.
''The Commission’s priority now must be to support the settlement process”, he concludes.
The Green Line Regulation provides the legal basis for people and goods to cross the Green Line. It has been in force since 1 May 2004 and defines the terms under which EU law applies to the movement of persons, goods and services across the line from the areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which the government of Cyprus does not exercise effective control due to the illegal Turkish occupation of the island’s northern part, since 1974.
