in-cyprus 25 October 2025 - by Angelos Nikolaou
A Cypriot parliamentarian has demanded clarification from the government regarding illegal quarrying in the Turkish-occupied Pentadaktylos mountain range and the movement of construction materials across the Green Line dividing the island.
Rita Theodorou Superman, MP for Kyrenia, requested details about quantities of materials originating from illegal quarrying operations being transported to government-controlled areas, inspection procedures, and measures to protect the mountain range.
Finance Minister Makis Keravnos said in his response that Customs maintains statistics on all goods moving across the Green Line but lacks evidence regarding the origin of construction materials. Granite, marble, and other stone materials worth over one million euros were transported to government-controlled areas in 2024.
“Customs controls are conducted according to Green Line Regulations (EC 866/2004 and 1480/2004) and European and national legislation,” Keravnos said.
He added that goods are detained or confiscated when illegalities are detected, with the European Commission being informed.
For commercial goods, including construction materials, coming from occupied territories, Customs performs 100% checks to ensure they are accompanied by documentation from the Turkish Cypriot chamber of commerce or other required certification.
Keravnos noted that relevant state services, including Technical Services of the Interior Ministry, are called to verify accompanying documents for each shipment. Products failing to meet specifications are barred from entering government-controlled areas.
In a separate response, Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos stressed that his ministry closely monitors the environmental impact of the occupation and intervenes with foreign governments and international organisations.
“The environmental destruction of Pentadaktylos from illegal quarrying has taken alarming dimensions,” Kombos said, adding that the issue is systematically raised in diplomatic contacts with the European Commission and the United Nations.
The Foreign Ministry is coordinating with other government agencies to collect evidence documenting the occupying power’s responsibility for use at the international level, according to Kombos.
He reiterated the Republic of Cyprus’s commitment to continue efforts to raise international awareness and pressure the occupation regime to prevent further ecological damage.
