The Mayor of Deryneia, Andros Karagiannis:
The European Commission has recently published the twelfth report on the implementation of the Council Regulation on the Green Line, which has been in force since 1 May 2004. The Regulation sets out the conditions for the application of the provisions of European Union law on the movement of persons, goods and services through of the green line. This report covers the period 1.1.2015 - 31.12.2015, in which the European Commission has amended Annex I of the Green Line Regulation, including the opening of two new crossing points at Deryneia and Lefka-Apliki.
According to the report, in 2015 there was an increase in the number of Turkish Cypriots and a small decrease in the number of Greek Cypriots crossing the green line compared to previous years. During the reporting period, 534.879 Greek Cypriots (compared to 589.906 in 2014) and 189.027 Greek Cypriot vehicles (compared to 200.562 in 2014) passed through the free areas of the occupied territories. The number of Turkish Cypriots entering the free zones increased from 927.141 in 2014 to 1.055.130 in 2015, while 382.621 Turkish Cypriot vehicles (compared to 346.495 in 2014) passed through the free zones.
The number of European Union citizens crossing the line decreased significantly and during the reporting period there were 491.680 crossings of European Union citizens (compared to 732.856 in 2014). 71% of these crossings (351.299) took place at the pedestrian crossing on Ledra Street, where most tourist crossings are still carried out, since the transport of European Union citizens by Turkish Cypriot buses to the free areas is not allowed.
However, the data do not include the crossing points Pergamon and Strovilia, since the regulation for the green line does not provide the obligation to submit data for these movements.
The authorities of the Republic of Cyprus impose enhanced controls at the crossing points. With the support of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, they help maintain a sense of security among citizens and facilitate the exercise of religious rights in both communities, despite the frequent problems posed by the occupying army.
The figures for the 2015 report showed an increase in irregular migration across the green line from the occupied to the free areas. The number of irregular migrants in 2015 rose to 1.290 from 970 in 2014. He cites asylum seekers from Syria as a possible cause of the increase due to the refugee issue.
According to article 8 of regulation no. Regulation (EC) No 1480/2004 of the European Commission shows an increase in trade mainly in plastic products, building materials, stones, raw metal waste and fresh fish. Obstacles to transactions through the green line still exist as the passage of Turkish Cypriot commercial vehicles over 7,5 tons is not allowed, if they do not have fully compatible with the acquired documents, issued by the Republic of Cyprus. In 2015, the Republic of Cyprus conducted 2.689 tobacco seizure operations for the manufacture of cigarettes and according to the Commission, this is due to price differences and the higher tax imposed by the Republic of Cyprus on tobacco products.
The opening of the Deryneia roadblock at the beginning of the new year as well as the promotion of MOE will help to improve the climate between the two communities and will solve some obstacles observed in the movement of people and the movement of goods on the green line. In addition, the communication between the economic actors, but also the citizens will be strengthened, a fact that will contribute to the improvement of the contact and the climate of trust between the two communities.
Roadblocks not only limit travel time from one side to the other, but also promote European and bi-communal programs more easily.
All these efforts contribute to the democratic dialogue, to the creation of a climate of trust, cooperation and reconciliation, both of the civil society and of the business world throughout the island.
Deryneia can be the beginning of a common Cypriot economy, which will bring a comprehensive solution, economic benefits to both communities, but above all it will contribute to the real reunification of our Cyprus and stability in the wider region.
Andros G. Karagiannis, Mayor of Deryneia