The European Commission has announced the establishment of an Information and Support Center for Cypriot businesses and individuals engaged in or interested in participating in legitimate trade through the Green Line, in coordination with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (TCCC).

This EU-funded initiative will serve as a comprehensive one-stop shop, providing information and technical assistance to stakeholders involved in commercial transactions via the Green Line. The project is set to commence in October 2023, with the opening of a dedicated office, which will undergo a bidding process in the summer.

Specifically, the one-stop shop will offer advisory services and personalized support through face-to-face, telephone, or online channels to ensure compliance with the required regulations for each product. It will also facilitate contact and "matchmaking" between sellers and buyers.

The plans include the development of an online platform in Greek and Turkish, which will serve as a central hub for information, reference, and documentation, supporting businesses on both sides of the Green Line to increase their trade activities.

The objective of this initiative, as stated in the announcement, is to "facilitate the legal trade of products that comply with all necessary European regulations and standards, in an effort to pave the way for the reunification of the island."

Kiartan Bjornsson, Deputy Director and Head of the Cyprus Settlement Support Unit at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Structural Reforms (DG REFORM), emphasized that this agreement aligns with the EU's commitment, along with the two chambers, to promote economic development and cooperation in Cyprus. He expressed satisfaction with the participation of the business community from both sides.

"By providing accessible and tailored support to Turkish Cypriot businesses to comply with EU standards and regulations, we contribute to creating a level playing field for the Turkish Cypriot community and prepare the ground for the reunification of the island, which is our ultimate goal," stated Mr. Bjornsson.

As outlined in the related announcement, the Commission is working towards the full implementation of the Green Line Regulation and providing support to Turkish Cypriot businesses to ensure their products comply with the requirements for accessing the EU market. Trade through the Green Line not only brings economic benefits to both communities but also contributes to building trust and fostering business relationships.

Trade through the Green Line is regulated by Council Regulation 866/2004 (Green Line Regulation). The value of trade from the non-controlled to the controlled areas of Cyprus (e.g. from the T/C community to the G/C community) reached its highest levels in 2022, amounting to €14,647,241, marking a 138% increase compared to 2021 (€6,151,022). However, the annual value of trade transactions remains relatively low, indicating room for improvement according to the Commission.

As the European Commision states, “Cyprus is part of the European Union, but EU legislation is suspended in the northern part where the government doesn't have control. The Green Line has divided the island since 1974, but it is not an EU external border. The "Green Line Regulation" governs the movement of people and goods across this line. Turkish Cypriots still enjoy personal rights as EU citizens despite being in non-government-controlled areas outside the EU's customs and fiscal territory.”