Cyprus “Green line” trade up by a third

Trade across the Green Line divide between the two communities of Cyprus increased by almost a third in the 12 months from May 2007, compared to the corresponding period the previous year. However, the number of people crossing the Green Line was down, despite the opening of a new crossing on Ledra Street in Nicosia, according to the Annual Green Line report issued by the European Commission.
According to the reports provided by the Republic of Cyprus, the total trade value of goods which actually crossed the Line increased by almost a third to EUR4,473,408, compared to EUR 3,380,805 in the previous reporting period. Trade in potatoes accounted for almost 30 percent of the overall trade value and is the main component of the increase in Green Line trade.
Trade in the other direction was less than a quarter of the value, reaching just EUR1,015,340 in the reporting period, compared to EUR1,027,688 in the previous one.
In terms of people crossing the line, 633,163 Greek Cypriots crossed from the government-controlled areas to the northern part of Cyprus (down from 788,823) and 1,162,739 Turkish Cypriots came in the other direction.
The annual Green Line Report issued by the European Commission reveals that the “the number of third country nationals crossing the Line illegally remains an area of serious concern”. In fact, according to data submitted by authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, in the period May 2007 to April 2008 “the total number of detected (or apprehended) illegal immigrants more than doubled (increase from 2,919 to 5,844), reaching the highest level ever”.
“CYPOL reported that out of these, 5,710 illegal immigrants entered the government controlled areas across the Line, whereas 128 entered via the Sovereign Base Area and only six directly into the government-controlled areas”. In addition, CYPOL reported that the main countries of origin of the illegal immigrants were Syria (37 per cent), West Bank (16 per cent) and Iran (9 per cent).
A large number of third country nationals illegally entering later apply for asylum (3,470 out of 5,844).