Trade Volume Across the "Green Line" in Cyprus Increases by Nearly 10%

The European Commission has published two annual reports dedicated to the EU's ongoing support for the reunification of Cyprus: the 2023 report on the implementation of the "Green Line" Regulation and the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community.

According to the first document, trade across the "Green Line" in Cyprus increased by 9.6% in 2023, reaching a total volume of 16 million euros. The number of crossings of the "Green Line," which was 6.1 million in 2022, rose to 7.1 million in 2023.

The second report states that since 2006, the European Union (EU) has allocated 688 million euros to the aid programme for the Turkish Cypriot community.

The Commission also assisted the Turkish Cypriot community in complying with EU standards for food safety and animal protection, which is a condition for placing products on the EU market.

"Thanks to EU funding in 2023, the first three Turkish Cypriot producers of halloumi/hellim and 15 dairy farms received approval under the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) scheme," the statement said.

Additionally, in 2023, three EU-funded infrastructure projects were completed in the Turkish Cypriot community, including the construction of the Kormakitis Cooperation Center — a multicultural event venue accessible to all communities of Cyprus — and the expansion of the Güzelyurt wastewater treatment plant, which helped protect the environment and public health.

The statement also mentions that 2024 will mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the EU's "Green Line" Regulation for Cyprus.