CYPRUS: Greek Cypriot authorities yesterday effectively abolished the economic blockade of northern Cyprus, announcing an easing of trade restrictions across the UN-monitored "green line" which has divided the island since 1974.
The dramatic gesture was a demonstration of goodwill in response to the surprise decision last week by the leader of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Mr Rauf Denktash, to open checkpoints on the old ceasefire line.
More than 150,000 people - well over a tenth of the island's population - have crossed the green line in the past eight days, some queuing for up to 18 hours to visit towns and villages they have been forbidden to enter for the past 30 years.
Yesterday's announcement, contained in a package of measures introduced by the internationally recognised government, will allow locally produced Turkish Cypriot goods to be sold in southern Cyprus and European Union countries and be shipped abroad to third countries. Turkish Cypriot products are currently subject to a trade ban and cannot be freely exported to other countries.
"For the practical adoption of this measure, the contribution and agreement of the European Commission and non-governmental organisations is expected," said Mr Kypros Chrysostomides, a government spokesman in Nicosia. Three checkpoints have already been opened but the queues of those crossing over have, on occasions, stretched several miles.
Mr Chrysostomides said that the authorities were pressing the United Nations to open more crossing points along the border.
Trade in Turkish Cypriot goods is expected to ease the high levels of unemployment and economic hardship in the north of the island, a state recognised only by Turkey. Cyprus has been divided since the Turkish invasion in 1974 which was prompted by a Greek Cypriot coup organised by the military junta then ruling Greece.
Formal peace talks on re-unifying the island, organised by the UN, foundered last month amid disputes over the composition of any future government and restrictions on future sales and transfers of land. Mr Denktash was widely blamed for their collapse.