LEFKOSA - Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Monday that recent proposals of Greek Cypriots about Green Line Regulations lack goodwill and their real aim is to hinder direct trading from Gazimagusa port and Ercan airport, which are under Turkish Cypriot rule.
Speaking at a meeting with TRNC Chamber of Industry officials, Talat said ''we are not against Green Line Regulations and we considered the proposals on the crossing of commercial vehicles into the southern Cyprus as a progress, although those proposals are not sufficient''.
''We can assess proposals about changes to the green line regulations. However, what we want from the EU is that restrictive measures imposed on the TRNC should be lifted completely, allowing direct and free trade between TRNC and EU countries, and making possible preferential exports from our country. Turkish Cypriots want to be integrated with the international community and the will of another (i.e. Greek Cypriot) community should not put under mortgage the will of Turkish Cypriots. Recent events show that European values are also going to be tested in the coming period,'' he said.
Talat said that the EU Commission should discuss draft proposals on the Green Line Regulations within one month after they are submitted, and those proposals take effect if any objection is not raised against them during the said (one-month) period.
''The EU Commission is on summer recess in August and the Greek Cypriots presented those proposals on the last day of July. So it is quite obvious that those proposals of Papadopoulos administration lack goodwill,'' he added.
Talat said that Greek Cypriot side had been trying to hamper direct trading (of Turkish Cypriots with the EU) and bind everything to the Green Line Regulations.
Talat stressed that Green Line Regulations is not about exports by Turkish Cypriots but it is about transportation of goods between the south and north of Cyprus.
(MS-ULG) 09.08.2004