Unilateral measures do not require the approval of the Turkish Cypriot side, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman said, commenting on reports that President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides intends to take initiatives in the areas of health and the economy for the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot community.
According to reports from the north, Erhürman made the remarks during an on-site visit on Tuesday to the Agios Dometios crossing point, where he inspected ongoing works at the location and within the buffer zone, accompanied by the 'mayor' of north Nicosia, Mehmet Harmancı.
Responding to a question on President Christodoulides’ intentions, Erhürman said he had been informed through media reports. “Approval is not required for unilateral measures,” he said, adding that while he does not know the precise nature of the health-related initiatives being considered, any unilateral provision of facilities to Turkish Cypriots would not require his consent.
“I repeat, however, that I do not know exactly what he means,” he added.
Green Line trade
Referring to economic matters, Erhürman said that within the package of measures presented by President Christodoulides - which he said consists of seven main points, potentially exceeding ten with sub-points - there was a reference to trade under the Green Line Regulation. “This may be what he is referring to,” he said.
He added that the Turkish Cypriot side’s own ten-point proposal identifies certain practices that hinder trade from the north to the government-controlled areas under the Green Line Regulation. He said the Turkish Cypriot side has called for these obstacles to be removed and for the regulation to be implemented as it stands.
Erhürman also referred to a proposal concerning value added tax on goods transported from the free areas to the north. He said that while VAT is not paid to the Turkish Cypriot authorities, it is paid to the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, describing this as unfair and “not a balanced demand”, noting the disparity between the two economies.
Collecting VAT
“If we do not collect VAT on these goods while we do collect VAT on goods produced by us, we will find ourselves in a situation where VAT is not collected on goods coming from the south,” he said. “This is unusual. Secondly, it would put our own producers at a disadvantage in competition on our shelves.”
He argued that a more appropriate approach would be for neither side to charge VAT on goods sent across the Green Line, saying this would create equal conditions.
Asked whether he rejected President Christodoulides’ proposal, as reported in the media, Erhürman said he did so because, in his view, it alters the logic of both the Green Line Regulation and the direct trade regulation, creates unequal application compared with current practice and would place Turkish Cypriot producers at a competitive disadvantage compared with products from the south.
Responding to a question on whether this issue risks damaging relations between the two communities, Erhürman said the primary objective remains a comprehensive settlement. “We continue discussions based on our people’s will for a solution,” he said, adding that achieving a settlement remains the central goal.
New vehicle crossing necessary
A new vehicle crossing point will serve both communities and help facilitate daily life, Erhürman said during the same visit to the Agios Dometios crossing point, accompanied by Mehmet Harmancı.
According to reports from the north, Erhürman said construction works in the buffer zone are being carried out by Turkish companies in the north and Greek Cypriot companies in the government controlled areas. He said the works by the Turkish company were completed on Tuesday, while the works in the free areas are expected to be completed shortly.
He added that the issue of the works was also discussed during his meeting with President Christodoulides in the presence of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín.
Erhürman said there is also a need for a second vehicle crossing point, adding that Mia Milia had been proposed for this purpose, although no agreement was reached. He said a second vehicle crossing in Nicosia is necessary.
Responding to a question, he reiterated the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposals for the opening of additional crossing points, saying he expects a positive response from President Christodoulides regarding the proposals put forward.