Formal Trade In Cyprus Between North And South Resumes After 30 Years

NICOSIA, Aug 23 (AFP) - Formal trade between the two sides of the divided island of Cyprus resumed after 30 years on Monday when new European Union regulations came into force.
It is the first time since 1974 that goods from the Turkish-held north can now be legally sold or exported in the Greek Cypriot south.
"Today (Monday) is a very important day because the legal framework has come into force," said European Commission representative Adriaan van der Meer.
He said at least eight Turkish Cypriots had applied to the north's chamber of commerce to sell clothing and produce in the south.
All goods and products are governed by EU health and safety standards and must be of Turkish Cypriot origin.
However, van der Meer said consultations were continuing with the Turkish Cypriot authorities to allow Greek Cypriot goods to go the other way.
The Greek Cypriot government says it is "completely ready" to handle goods coming in but could not rule out "minor problems" under the new scheme.
No trade was reported on Monday and Commerce and Tourism Minister George Lillikas said it would take time for the procedures to kick in.
He also said it was test of how far the Turkish Cypriot authorities wanted to encourage trade between the two communities.
"I will not rush to judge the effectiveness of the measures. We have to give the Turkish Cypriots time," Lillikas told reporters.
EU citizens, including Cypriots, have been able to move freely between the north and south, and the Greek Cypriot authorites launched their own initiative to allow Turkish Cypriot trucks, taxis and buses to cross over to encourage greater contact.
Since Cyprus joined the EU on May 1, the legal status of the ceasefire line has been a tricky issue for the bloc.
But Brussels vowed to help ease Turkish Cypriot economic isolation after the Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly rejected a UN reunification plan in April, leaving the north out in the cold.
Prior to accession, tourists were denied entry into the south if they entered through the north, and in some cases they were arrested and deported.
There was also a ban on any goods from the north entering the south.
For the Green Line not to be classed as an EU external border, Brussels approved measures to ease trade restrictions and allow Turkish Cypriot goods to cross the line and be exported into Europe.
Free movement of people must also be allowed.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the northern third following a coup in Nicosia aimed at union with Greece.