Expansion of permitted goods at checkpoints

The procedures for expanding the list of goods permitted to be transported under the Green Line regulation are entering their final stage.

A recent decision by the Ministerial Council, following a proposal from the Foreign Minister, authorises the Ministers of Health and Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment to instruct their respective ministries’ competent services to facilitate the passage of processed non-animal origin products through the crossing points.

These include coffee, lemonade, frozen vegetables, frozen potatoes, vinegar, dried molokhia, and to conduct necessary checks in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 866/2004.

At the same time, the two ministries are required to duly inform the Customs Department, as the responsible department for conducting checks at the crossing points, about the Ministerial Council’s decision dated 13/3/2024.

This decision is a continuation of the framework adopted with the introduction of a package of 14 measures for Turkish Cypriots, announced by the Presidency on 26th January 2024.

A relevant decision of the Ministerial Council was taken on 2nd February 2024 to expand the list of goods under the Green Line Regulation by adding 6 specific products.

The 14 measures adopted by the government are as follows:

1. Initiating the examination of pending applications for granting Cypriot citizenship.
2. Payment of widow’s pensions to beneficiaries.
3. Access of patients to the clinical services of the Institute of Neurology and Genetics.
4. Covering urgent and emergency pharmaceutical needs.
5. Expanding the list of goods under the Green Line Regulation by adding 6 specific products.
6. Right to participate in human capital programmes within the framework of the action plan for the European Year of Skills.
7. Right to participate in training programmes of the Productivity Centre, as well as in refresher seminars on EU matters.
8. Right to obtain a Youth Culture Card upon reaching the age of 18.
9. Reinforcement of staffing at crossing points.
10. Widening of the crossing point at Ayios Dometios.
11. Fast-track measures for students at the Ledra Palace crossing point.
12. Recruitment of officials with knowledge of the Turkish language at the Nicosia Citizen Service Centre.
13. Ensuring the smooth operation continuity of the wastewater treatment unit in Mia Milia.
14. Further facilitation of access to Muslim monuments in the areas under the control of the Republic of Cyprus.