BY FERAI TINC
HURRIYET- The European Union’s response to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’s (TRNC) good will was a weak one. Europe is unable to take quick steps on legal matters. There haven’t been many changes in the regulations prepared last April, when Greek Cyprus was put on track for full accession. The island’s Green Line is not the EU’s border, but the Greek side has to establish checkpoints for the movement of persons and products to the region. So the Green Line has effectively become an EU border, de facto though not de jure. Trade will be made across the Greek side, but the EU Commission has the authority to arrange permits for trade to the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade or similar groups. In the former treaty, the authority to arrange permits was given to the central government, meaning the Greek administration.
Another article grants the EU Commission the right to make changes but stipulates that ‘the assent of the [Greek] Cypriot Republic’ is needed. This Cypriot administration will have the right to make changes in arrangements on the Green Line, of course by informing the commission. If there is no answer within one month, then it will be able to put these changes into force. Actually the embargo in the TRNC has yet to be eased. The TRNC will be able to conduct trade with the EU over the Greek Cypriot part. The positive point in the regulation is the movement of persons. Tourists visiting the southern part will also be able to visit Northern Cyprus. This could boost tourism. And tourists in the North will also be able to visit the southern part if they have a Schengen visa.
Europe is again complaining about legal difficulties. We hear words like ‘we give full political support.’ But when political support is unable to influence the legal basis, it can do little.