EU Commission gives green light for honey trading across Green Line

Turkish Cypriot beekeepers will be able to start selling their honey across the Green Line, separating the northern Turkish occupied areas from the southern government controlled part of the country, as of now, according to the European Commission.

A Commission statement recalled that the European Commission had authorised the trade of honey produced by Turkish Cypriot beekeepers across the Green Line in 2007. However, it said that “trade could not start until tests carried out in approved laboratories by independent experts appointed by the Commission showed that the sampled honey complied with EU standards on residues of antibiotics and pesticides”.

The results of the latest tests, it added, “have shown that the standards of honey have improved. Tests will be repeated each year. The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce is responsible for issuing the necessary documents accompanying each consignment”.

Over the past years, under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community the European Commission has provided assistance to Turkish Cypriot beekeepers contributing to help them meet EU standards.

This testifies of the European Commission commitment to the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community and the reunification of Cyprus, the statement further said.

Cyprus became a member of the European Union in 2004. The whole of Cyprus is EU territory. The Government of Cyprus is prevented from exercising effective control in the northern Turkish occupied areas where EU legislation has been suspended in line with Protocol 10 of the 2003 Accession Treaty.

The European Union has invested to date more than €320 million under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community.