Filenews 3 April 2024 - by Angelos Nicolaou
The procedures for expanding the list of goods allowed to move under the Green Line Regulation are entering the final stage.
A recent decision of the Council of Ministers, following a proposal by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, authorizes the Ministers of Health and Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment to give instructions to the competent services of their Ministries, in order to facilitate the passage through the crossing points, of processed products of non-animal origin, i.e. coffee, lemonade, frozen vegetables, frozen potatoes, vinegar, dried mallow, as well as to carry out the necessary checks, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 866/2004.
At the same time, the two Ministries are requested to duly inform about the decision of the Council of Ministers dated 13/3/2024 the Department of Customs and Excise as the competent department for carrying out checks at crossing points.
This decision is a continuation of the framework of the adoption of a package of 14 measures for Turkish Cypriots, announced by the Presidency on 26 January 2024 and taken by the Council of Ministers on 2 February 2024, it was decided to expand the list of goods under the Green Line Regulation with the addition of 6 specific products.
In detail, the government's 14 measures are:
1. Commencement of examination of pending applications for granting Cypriot citizenship.
2. Payment of widow's pension to beneficiaries.
3. Patient access to the clinical services of the Institute of Neurology and Genetics.
4. Coverage of emergency and urgent pharmaceutical needs.
5. Expansion of the list of goods under the Green Line Regulation with the addition of 6 specific products.
6. Right to participate in human resources programmes under the European Year of Skills Action Plan.
7. Right to participate in training programs of the Productivity Centre, as well as in training seminars on acquis issues of the European Union.
8. Right to obtain a Youth Culture Card for young people who reach the age of 18.
9. Reinforcement of staffing at crossing points.
10. Widening of the crossing point at Agios Dometios.
11. Rapid transit measures for students at the Ledra Palace crossing point.
12. Recruitment of officers with knowledge of the Turkish language at the Nicosia Citizen Service Centre.
13. Ensuring the continued smooth operation of the wastewater treatment plant in Mia Milia.
14. Further facilitate access to Muslim monuments in the free areas.
